Pakistan cricket authorities have set their sights on commercial partners and fans in the United Kingdom as they prepare for the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) expansion to eight teams from its 11th edition next year. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday confirmed a series of initiatives aimed at attracting English investment, with the UK seen as a prime financial market and a major cricket hub.
A roadshow will be staged at Lord’s during next year’s tournament, which is again expected to clash with the Indian Premier League in 2026.
The HBL PSL is set to host a landmark Roadshow at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. This exclusive event will bring together global investors, commercial partners and cricket enthusiasts for an evening dedicated to showcasing the league’s remarkable growth, commercial strength and future direction.
The bidding process for the two new franchises begins in January, with financial institutions from the UK and USA already showing interest. A fresh UK broadcast agreement will also ensure PSL matches are aired live in England.
Player Participation Strategy and Global Outreach
PCB officials are confident that facilitating Pakistani players’ participation in other leagues will encourage reciprocal support from foreign boards.
PCB has allowed its players to feature in the CPL, Big Bash League and Bangladesh Premier League in a hope that these countries will reciprocate when PSL is held.
Only top names such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali were cleared for the Big Bash, a strategic move aimed at attracting high-profile Australian players to the PSL.
Pakistan Secure T20Is in Sri Lanka as World Cup Preparation Intensifies
In a boost to their build-up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan have finalised a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka in January. “Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play three matches at Dambulla on 7, 9 and 11 January,” the PCB announced, calling the series “valuable match practice ahead of next year’s global event.”
Pakistan are grouped in Pool A for the World Cup, with all their fixtures scheduled in Colombo for the tournament running from 7 February to 8 March.
A proposed tri-series in Dhaka fell through after Bangladesh Cricket Board withheld clearance, but Pakistan will still get additional preparation through a three-match T20I series against Australia at the end of next month before both sides head to the World Cup.
