The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to stage the 2026 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) during the April-May window, aligning it once again with the Indian Premier League (IPL). The move comes after positive feedback from cricket boards worldwide and opens the door for the tournament's long-anticipated expansion, with two new franchises likely to be added.
This year’s tenth edition of the PSL marked the first time it clashed directly with the IPL. Despite initial concerns, the overlap was well received, particularly as both tournaments were held during a period free from major international commitments, thanks to the IPL window being respected globally.
There is an international event next year in the form of the ICC T20 World Cup, so it has been finalised that PSL will be held in the same April-May window. All six existing franchises have principally agreed to the dates.
With the PSL operating as a separate entity from the PCB, a meeting with all stakeholders is scheduled for next month. The agenda includes re-evaluating the base price of the current six franchises and deliberating on the introduction of two new teams, potentially pushing the league’s total valuation into the three-billion-dollar bracket.
When the original six teams were sold in 2016, their collective value was $93 million over a ten-year period. Karachi Kings fetched the highest amount at $26 million, followed by Lahore Qalandars ($25 million), Peshawar Zalmi ($16 million), Islamabad United ($15 million), and Quetta Gladiators ($11 million). Multan Sultans were added later in 2018 and sold for a record $63 million.
According to sources, all six existing franchises are eager to retain their rights but will enter discussions with the PCB over a 25 percent hike in base prices, which the board is reportedly aiming for. A specialist valuation company will soon be appointed to reassess team values.
As for expansion, Faisalabad is leading the race to become the seventh franchise. However, a group of businessmen from Sialkot has raised concerns over investing in a team representing their city, despite Sialkot’s rich history in the National T20 Cup, where they have clinched six titles since 2004.
Other business groups from Abbottabad, Azad Kashmir, Hyderabad, and Sialkot remain in contention for ownership of the two new teams.
In a bid to boost international competitiveness, the PSL is also planning to attract more players from Australia and New Zealand. As part of this strategy, top Pakistan stars such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, and Mohammad Hasnain have been cleared to participate in the 2025–26 Big Bash League.
