Wasim Akram once called it the 'biggest thing to happen for Pakistan cricket'. It keeps Shahid Afridi young. It allows the world to gawk at Kumar Sangakkara's drives, ogle at KP's switch-hits, one last time. Misbah's 'tuks' can be heard. It gives a few West Indians a legit excuse for not being available to help their team qualify for the World Cup. *Drumroll* It's another extravaganza from the conveyor belt of T20 leagues being churned out, only bigger, only cockier and yes, people are waiting for it.

The UAE, only a couple of days ago was called an over-expensive surrogate. But here it is, all dressed up, lit up for that one time of the year when the crowds actually come in. If not to watch the cricket, at least to chance their catching technique in the hope of a few grand thrown their way, or the 15 seconds the camera is willing to spend on them.

There was never a doubt about Pakistan being a precocious talent factory. The PSL, unlike its other league-colleagues, isn't meant to be a refinery. No, it's an exhibition, a slideshow, that helps bring this to the fore. Factor this, February 2017 - Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan - unheard, unseen. Fast forward to June 2017, and there they are, one stormy evening at The Oval, scoring centuries, bamboozling opponents as they lead Pakistan's charge to perhaps their sweetest memories in 50-over cricket since 1992. Thank the PSL. Well to be fair, had it not been for the PSL, Sharjeel Khan wouldn't have run out of his luck/mind (depending on which way the courts swing) and Fakhar's skills may have been limited to his drinks-carrying technique.

It's going to be a six-team season, with Multan Sultans being the new franchise. With a coach in Tom Moody, whose coaching footprints have reached Pakistan, a director in Wasim Akram and T20 globetrotters like Shoaib Malik, Kumar Sangakkara, Kieron Pollard, Imran Tahir and Sohail Tanvir in their ranks, they are already favourites on paper. They've got practically every base covered.

The Quetta Gladiators seem generally happy to sneak under the radar. They almost snuck their way to the title last year. Had it not been for the exodus of their star players they had to deal with, as they refused to travel to Lahore, they could well have had the trophy in their kitty. Having retained their batting core, the Sarfraz-led outfit have snapped up the current bowling sensations in the form of Rashid Khan and Jofra Archer. Let's not forget the trade-off to get Shane Watson, if not anything, it sure does make Islamabad poorer.

In a five-team tournament, you've got to be either extremely unlucky or extremely poor to not make it to the semis, twice. Lahore Qalanders were a bit of both. They'd be keen to make amends, if not for the fans, at least for the most passionate team owner there could possibly be, one who is happy to dance his heart out in front of thousands for every boundary scored. Brendon McCullum, Narine, Mustafizur and Fakhar know what it takes to win around the world, if only they could get their act together for the Qalanders.

Karachi Kings were not short on names last year, but they were short on results. They've cleaned up their old guard, releasing Gayle, Malik, Jayawardene, Sangakkara and Pollard, compensating them with Afridi. Islamabad United would hope to repeat their 2016 heroics and who better than Misbah-ul-Haq to still have around. Andre Russell is done serving his doping ban too and is on a mission.

A major factor to doing well in the play-offs this year would be about doing well in Karachi. And to do well in Karachi you need to be willing to travel to Karachi. Given the reluctance of most overseas players to go to Lahore last year, Peshawar Zalmi unsurprisingly hold on to their skipper, Darren Sammy. They've let go of Afridi though, and probably a zillion fans, but have roped in Dwayne Bravo and retained their local core of Wahab Riaz, Kamran Akmal and Hasan Ali in the quest to defend the title.

So then let's make way, for a festival, new names being made, old reputations getting crushed, loud team anthems, a louder tournament song and for the one month the desert comes alive. It could do without controversies, Pakistan have outrun their quota.