PCB Set To Add Two New Teams In PSL To Compete With IPL

Abhinav Tyagi

PSL - (Source:@FaridKhan/X.com)PSL - (Source:@FaridKhan/X.com)

In a significant development, there are reports that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set to undergo major changes from the 2026 edition as the PCB is mulling to expand the tournament from six teams to eight teams. The PSL CEO, speaking to media, confirmed that two more cities are set to be added to the PSL.

PCB To Expand PSL To 8 Teams

“By the end of this year, we might get two more teams,” Naseer told local media on Thursday. We started at a time when no cricket was happening in Pakistan. The challenge was to bring it back. Now that we’ve successfully brought cricket back to traditional centres, the next step is expanding beyond these four cities (Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi and Multan),” PSL CEO said, speaking to media. 

PSL was started in 2016, and since then, it has grown substantially. However, the league has failed to compete with IPL. Further, the move to expand the league from six-to-eight teams is derived from the fact that the PSL will undergo media and broadcasting sales in the subsequent season. The move will also see the window of PSL extending from its current February- March window.

Talking about PSL, the league is likely to suffer financially in the upcoming season as they will overlap with IPL 2025 because of the Champions Trophy that occurred during PSL's usual window. 

Players Ditching PSL Contract For IPL

Because of IPL and PSL overlapping in 2025, several players are ditching PSL to play in the Indian cash-studded league. Notably, the players who went unsold in IPL and took up a contract in PSL, are now returning to IPL as replacements. 

Recently, Mumbai Indians signed South Africa's Corbin Bosch for IPL 2025 as William Lizaard's replacement. Notably, Bosch was unsold during IPL 2025 mega-auction and had signed up for PSL.