The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set for a major transformation starting in 2026, as the tournament will expand to include two new franchises, growing from a six-team league to an eight-team competition. This exciting development was officially announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday, marking the upcoming 2025 season as the “last of the six-team format.”
Although the PSL’s expansion had been anticipated ever since the PCB and PSL franchises agreed to hold off on adding new teams until after the tenth season, this is the first time the PCB has formally confirmed the league’s growth. Since the Multan Sultans joined the PSL in 2018, no additional teams had been added to the original lineup of five franchises. The process for selecting the cities for these new teams has yet to begin.
Looking ahead, the year following the tenth PSL season could bring significant changes and challenges for the league. The ten-year franchise agreements, which were established when the PSL first launched, are set to expire in 2025. This includes the Sultans’ lease, which, despite their later entry into the league, also comes up for renewal next year. Each of the six current franchise owners has a right of first refusal, which means that any sale of a franchise must first be offered to the existing owners at the agreed valuation.
Another major issue for the PSL’s future is its scheduling. With the Champions Trophy scheduled to take place during the traditional PSL window of February-March, and other leagues like the ILT20 and SA20 overlapping into PSL territory, the PCB is considering a significant change. Their current plan is to shift the PSL to a new window from April 7 to May 20, which would directly conflict with the Indian Premier League (IPL). This proposed change would not only alter the tournament’s schedule but is also being considered as a permanent adjustment rather than a temporary fix.
This scheduling shift has been met with mixed reactions from PSL franchises. Many teams are concerned about the impact on player availability and the inevitable overshadowing of the PSL by the IPL. Despite these concerns, the PCB is optimistic that the franchises will eventually support this new schedule. It is important to note that the final decision rests with the PSL Governing Council, which has the authority to set the schedule regardless of franchise opinions.
To address these concerns, the PCB has proposed adjustments to player recruitment rules. One such change includes allowing franchises to sign one marquee player outside of the draft to help balance player availability. With the current broadcast deal set to expire in 2025, the upcoming season will serve as a critical test for the future of the PSL, particularly in terms of its viability against the IPL.
The expansion to eight teams also necessitates a longer tournament window. The three-month IPL window could provide sufficient time for a slightly extended PSL, but it also means that the PSL will primarily feature overseas players who are not picked up by IPL teams. This financial gap between the two leagues could, for example, make it unlikely for star players like Rashid Khan to participate in the PSL if the leagues overlap.
Additionally, ESPNcricinfo has learned that the PCB is exploring the possibility of hosting the PSL 2025 playoffs and final in the UK. The extreme mid-May temperatures in Lahore, which can reach the mid-40s Celsius, are a significant concern. By moving the final stages of the tournament to the UK, the PCB aims to not only avoid the intense heat but also expand the PSL’s global reach. The UK is also considered a more cost-effective venue compared to the UAE, which has previously hosted all PSL matches not held in Pakistan.
As the PSL prepares for these upcoming changes, cricket fans can look forward to a more expansive and globally focused league. The next few seasons will be pivotal in shaping the future of Pakistan’s premier T20 competition.