The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set for its biggest expansion in years after Gilgit and Faisalabad were finalized as the two new teams to join the tournament ahead of its 11th edition, sources told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net).
The decision comes after a competitive bidding process that initially shortlisted six cities: Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Hyderabad, Gilgit, and Muzaffarabad.
Sources confirmed that four cities were eliminated, leaving Gilgit and Faisalabad as the successful entrants.
New Teams Arrive As Multan Sultans Face Removal
While two cities celebrate entry into Pakistan’s premier T20 league, the PCB has moved in the opposite direction with Multan Sultans, the league’s most expensive franchise at USD 6.3 million per year.
The Board has sent renewal offers and new franchise fees to what it called “all compliant PSL franchises,” pointedly excluding Multan Sultans from the renewal process.
The franchise’s owner, Ali Tareen, had earlier received a termination notice from the PCB following Multan’s criticism of the League’s management. Although Tareen issued what the PCB called an “apology,” he did so in a sarcastic video—ending it by tearing up the PCB’s notice.
On Wednesday, Tareen warned that he would launch a legal battle if the ownership rights were not renewed.
PCB Defends Valuation Process: “Full Transparency”
The PCB last week announced the completion of an independent valuation process for PSL franchises and related commercial assets. The freshly calculated franchise fees for the next decade have now been dispatched to eligible teams.
To ensure full transparency and facilitate a clear understanding of the valuations, the PCB has also arranged collective and individual meetings between franchise representatives and the independent valuer (EY MENA). These sessions will allow the franchises to review the valuation methodology and discuss any queries.
The PCB additionally claimed that the PSL’s viewership and commercial value have significantly increased over the past two years—a claim that Ali Tareen has publicly rejected, further complicating the ongoing dispute.
A League Expanding Amid Turbulence
With two new franchises ready to enter and one existing team facing a potential ownership change, the PSL's next chapter promises both excitement and stormy boardroom battles. The spotlight now shifts to how quickly Gilgit and Faisalabad can be integrated, and whether the Multan saga will escalate before the season begins.
