PSL all set to expand with two new teams

LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is preparing for its biggest expansion yet, with plans to add two new franchises for the 11th edition of the tournament, revealed PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer.

During an appearance in Episode 3 of the PSL Podcast released by the PCB, , Naseer gave a rare behind-the-scenes look at the league’s evolution — from its uncertain beginnings in 2016 to becoming one of the world’s most competitive and commercially successful cricket leagues.

“The plan is to have two new teams for PSL 11,” Naseer confirmed. “The sales and tender process will begin in November. There’s already huge interest, and it looks like there will be strong competition for ownership.”

Reflecting on the origins and vision, he said: “We Wanted PSL to stand on its own feet.” Naseer recalled on the league’s early years how PSL was initially conceived even before 2016 but faced skepticism from investors due to the absence of international cricket in Pakistan.

“People said this league was destined to fail,” Naseer said. “At the time, broadcasters didn’t have faith in a Pakistan-based product. So, we created a new model involving media buying agencies — and that gave us our first breakthrough deal.”

He credited the founding franchises and title sponsor HBL for showing faith in the project when few others did. “The original five franchises took a huge risk for Pakistan cricket,” he noted. “It was never about individual gain — it was about building something lasting.”

Its now a decade of growth and global recognition, he maintained. According to Naseer, PSL’s commercial and viewership trajectory has been consistently upward, with each season outperforming the previous in terms of sponsorship, broadcast value, and global reach.

“There has never been a stagnant period,” he said. “Every cycle, the value of PSL rights has grown — sometimes exponentially. Even BBC Sport’s analysis ranked PSL as one of the most entertaining leagues in the world.”

The recently concluded PSL X (10th edition) marked several milestones. The average first-innings score rose from 167 to 187, while 19 totals above 200 were recorded — the most in any season. The tournament also saw 520 sixes, 435 wickets, and the highest chase in T20 history as Lahore Qalandars successfully chased 200 in the final.

Emerging player Hasan Nawaz was named Player of the Tournament, marking the first time the award went to a player from the Emerging Category. He further added that there has been a massive surge in digital viewership. Perhaps the most striking development has been the explosion in online viewership. Naseer revealed that live-streaming numbers grew by 647% compared to the previous season, with 3.4 billion total views in Pakistan alone.

“People said the PSL viewership was declining, but the data says otherwise,” he noted. “This was the most-watched PSL season of all time.”

He acknowledged the shift from traditional TV to digital platforms, calling it a “natural generational transition.” “Young fans are streaming matches on their phones. They want accessibility, and PSL is adapting to that.”