Special Correspondent
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reported an impressive level of interest in its call for tenders for two additional Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises, confirming that 12 parties submitted bids before the deadline.
According to the PCB, the robust response reflects the PSL’s steady rise as a globally attractive T20 product. Investors from five countries — Pakistan, the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Arab Emirates — have entered the bidding process, underlining the league’s growing appeal beyond traditional cricket-playing nations.
Among the confirmed participants is Inverex Power Solution, a Pakistan-based solar energy company, which has publicly acknowledged submitting a bid for one of the new franchises. Industry sources suggest that several other major corporate groups are also involved, including a telecom operator, a leading real estate firm and one of the PCB’s existing commercial partners.
Another prominent name associated with the expansion is US-based Pakistani entrepreneur Aamir Waien, founder and chief executive of global payments technology company i2c. With reported assets exceeding $150 million, Waien is believed to be one of the strongest financial contenders in the race for franchise ownership.
The PCB has announced that the outcome of the technical evaluation phase will be made public on December 27. Only bidders meeting the prescribed criteria will progress to the next stage, which will feature an open competitive bidding process scheduled for January 8 at the Islamabad Convention Centre.
The cricket board has reiterated that the entire process will be conducted with transparency and in accordance with international standards, ensuring the long-term commercial stability and growth of the PSL.
PSL set for first major expansion in seven years
Since its launch in 2016 with five teams, the PSL expanded to six franchises in 2018. The upcoming 11th edition, to be played next year, will see the league grow to eight teams for the first time, marking a significant structural shift after seven years.
The PCB believes the expansion will enhance the tournament’s competitive balance, widen its fan base and significantly boost its commercial value. PSL 2026 is expected to feature 44 matches over 39 days, offering a longer and more diverse season for supporters and broadcasters alike.
Countdown to PSL 11 amid pending announcements
With just over three months remaining before the start of PSL 11, scheduled from March 26 to May 3, several key details are still awaited. While the PCB has confirmed the window and the eight-team format, important announcements regarding player categories, retention limits and retention deadlines are yet to be made.
The date and venue of the mega draft — tentatively expected in early January — have not been formally confirmed, and the identities of the two new franchises, including their cities, owners, branding and team names, remain undisclosed.
Questions also persist over the tournament format, number of matches per team, venue allocation, ticket sales strategy and opening ceremony plans. Additionally, with the PSL overlapping early county cricket commitments, uncertainty remains over the full availability of certain overseas players.
Despite the unanswered questions, expectations remain high. The expansion and extended window were meant to make PSL 11 the most ambitious edition yet. As the clock ticks down, the focus now shifts to the PCB to finalize its roadmap and deliver a well-organised and professionally executed season of Pakistan’s premier T20 league.
