The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is preparing to enter a new era in its evolution as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officially moves forward with the plan to introduce two new franchises in the upcoming 11th edition of the tournament. This expansion will mark the most significant structural change in the PSL since its inception in 2016, as the league transitions from a six-team competition to an eight-team format, bringing fresh excitement, regional representation, and commercial opportunities to Pakistan’s premier cricket event.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PSL, *Salman Naseer, confirmed during a detailed media briefing at the **National Bank Stadium, Karachi, that the tender process for acquiring the two new teams will begin in **November 2025. According to him, potential investors will be presented with a pool of available city names, allowing each successful bidder to select the identity and base of their respective team. This step, Naseer emphasized, is part of a broader long-term vision to make the PSL not just a domestic tournament but a *global cricket brand.
Naseer elaborated that the PCB and the PSL governing council have been in extensive consultations for several months, carefully reviewing feasibility studies, franchise valuations, and venue readiness reports before finalizing the decision. “The interest from investors has been tremendous,” he stated. “We are optimistic that this expansion will take the PSL to the next level of competition and engagement. There’s a very strong likelihood of intense bidding among the interested parties, which reflects the growing commercial appeal of Pakistan cricket.”
He also revealed that the PSL’s management, alongside existing franchise owners, has been discussing the expansion of match venues beyond the current four cities — Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi — to at least six cities for PSL 11. The two new venues under serious consideration are Peshawar’s Imran Khan Stadium and Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium. Naseer confirmed that both locations have undergone technical inspections by PCB’s infrastructure department, and recommendations for minor upgrades have already been shared with provincial authorities and local cricket associations.
“Peshawar’s stadium is nearly ready,” Naseer remarked. “It only needs slight improvements in seating, lighting, and broadcast facilities to meet PSL and international standards. We’ve identified the areas needing enhancement, and with the will of Almighty Allah, it will be ready before the start of PSL 11.” He added that Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium is also being refurbished, noting that several domestic and exhibition matches are already scheduled there in the months leading up to the tournament to test the venue’s operational readiness.
The PSL CEO further discussed the long-debated home-and-away format, reaffirming the board’s commitment to implementing it gradually as stadium infrastructure develops across Pakistan. “It has always been our dream to see Karachi Kings playing at home in Karachi, Lahore Qalandars hosting their games in Lahore, and Quetta Gladiators returning to their home city. Peshawar Zalmi’s fans have waited a long time to see their team play at home, and that time is now near,” Naseer shared.
The decision to expand the PSL is not just a sporting move — it carries significant economic and developmental implications. Experts believe that introducing two new teams could inject billions of rupees into Pakistan’s sports economy, stimulate tourism in new host cities, and create thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities. It is also expected to increase sponsorship and broadcasting revenues, potentially making the PSL one of the most profitable cricket leagues in Asia.
According to reports from multiple sports analysts, the base valuation for the two new franchises is expected to be between USD 7 million and USD 10 million, a figure that reflects the PSL’s growing international brand value. These valuations will also play a crucial role in setting future revenue-sharing models and central rights deals. It is anticipated that global sports management companies and investors from the Gulf, the UK, and the U.S. may participate in the upcoming auction.
Meanwhile, cricket fans across Pakistan have expressed excitement over the possibility of witnessing PSL matches in cities like Peshawar and Faisalabad for the first time. Peshawar Zalmi’s fan base — known as one of the most passionate in the league — has particularly welcomed the announcement, calling it “a long-overdue dream coming true.” The inclusion of Faisalabad, known for its historic connection to cricket and energetic crowds, is also seen as a nod to the city’s enduring love for the game.
Officials within the PCB have emphasized that this expansion is aligned with Pakistan’s broader sports development vision, championed by the government and private stakeholders, aiming to restore international confidence in the country’s sports infrastructure and event management capabilities. The PSL has already played a central role in this transformation by bringing international cricket stars and fans back to Pakistan over the past few years.
The upcoming PSL 11, with its new teams, additional venues, and broader vision, is being described as the league’s most ambitious edition yet. The PCB is working to ensure that the new franchises are operationally ready by early 2026, with player draft policies, scheduling, and broadcast agreements being restructured to accommodate the expanded format.
As preparations intensify, Salman Naseer expressed confidence that the PSL will continue to grow as a symbol of Pakistan’s unity, resilience, and passion for cricket. “This expansion is not just about adding two teams,” he said. “It’s about giving every Pakistani city the hope that one day, their local talent can represent them on the biggest stage in our domestic cricket. The PSL has always been more than a league — it’s a movement, and PSL 11 will be a new chapter in that journey.”
With the countdown to the auction already underway and excitement building among investors, players, and fans alike, Pakistan’s flagship cricket league appears poised to embark on its most transformative season yet — one that will redefine the future of franchise cricket in the country.