Seven teams to compete in 2020 edition

ISLAMABAD: One more team will be added to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) family in 2020 raising the total strength to seven, confirmed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi in an interview.

Six teams will again be seen in action in the fourth edition next year and then the strength of teams going up in 2020. “The city that makes the highest bid will be given the rights for the seventh team. At this point we don’t want to hurry up things rather than concentrating on making the PSL more formidable and eye catching. It is where we would be in a position to get best deal for the seventh team.”

Sethi recalled that Karachi Kings were sold out for around Rs250 million at the outset of the league. “Following its two years of success, we sold Multan Sultans’ rights for over Rs500 million. So once we would be in a position to hold majority of matches in Pakistan, I am sure we would get even bigger amount for the seventh team.”

The PCB chairman, who is also the chief executive PSL, ruled out organising all league matches in Pakistan starting from 2019. “That is not possible because of complications involved. Grounds in Pakistan are not ready for so many matches and secondly crew handles PSL live coverage has its limitations and complications.”

Regarding stadiums’ capacity, Sethi said that the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and National Stadium in Karachi were in a position to host PSL matches. “Efforts are on to make Multan and Pindi stadiums worthy of hosting matches.”