In a major development for cricket fans, it has been officially announced that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will expand to include two new teams in 2026.
The 11th edition of the PSL will feature eight teams, marking the end of the current six-team format after the 10th edition in 2025.
The addition of new teams has been a long-standing demand from fans, and it has finally been addressed.
The names under consideration for the new franchises include Gawadar, Mardan, Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
While the final decision on the cities has not yet been made, these locations are the front-runners for the expansion.
The PSL 2026 will see an increase in the number of matches, offering more excitement and competition.
This change follows an agreement made in 2018 when Multan Sultans joined the league, with a stipulation that no further teams would be added until after the 10th edition.
In another significant update, the PSL is set to shift its schedule to April and May starting from next year, directly overlapping with the Indian Premier League (IPL).
This decision has raised concerns among PSL franchises due to potential conflicts in player availability, as many players participate in both leagues.
Despite objections from several franchises, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to proceed with this schedule.
Additionally, the PCB is considering holding the playoffs and final of the next PSL season in the UK, aiming to target a global audience and increase the league’s visibility.
Fans can look forward to a new era of the PSL with the introduction of two new teams and the expanded competition in 2026.
The anticipation builds as we await further announcements on the final selection of the new franchises and the detailed schedule for the upcoming seasons.
