By Asher Butt
The Pakistan Super League’s 12th edition is taking shape against a backdrop of financial pressure, uncertainty over its playing window and a growing debate about whether the league’s current player-spending model is sustainable for all eight franchises.
At the latest PSL Governing Council meeting in London, some franchise owners reportedly asked the Pakistan Cricket Board to reduce the base player salary purse, arguing that the existing financial commitment has become too heavy—particularly for recently sold teams carrying substantially higher ownership costs.
The issue is significant because PSL 12 is not only preparing for a new season; it is also confronting a wider commercial question: can the league expand its sporting and financial ambitions while ensuring that each franchise can meet its commitments comfortably?
Franchises seek salary-purse review
Sources familiar with the London meeting said that some franchises asked the PCB to revisit the base player purse, which was increased after the first 10 editions of the league.
Under the present auction-based structure, each franchise has a base purse of US$1.6 million, approximately Rs450 million. The amount can rise to US$1.8 million, around Rs505 million, if a franchise uses the provision to directly sign one eligible overseas player who was not involved in the previous PSL season.
The current player-category framework allows franchises to spend up to:
Player category | Maximum salary under current structure |
Elite / top-tier player | US$150,000 |
Second tier | US$80,000 |
Third tier | US$40,000 |
Fourth tier | US$21,500 |
The proposal for a reduction did not receive an immediate response from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi during the meeting, according to the information shared by sources. No official decision on a salary-purse revision has yet been announced.
For franchises, the question is not only whether elite player fees are justified, but whether the overall squad cost remains aligned with actual income from sponsorship, broadcasting, ticketing, merchandising and central revenue distribution.
New owners feel greater pressure
The financial debate has intensified after the sale of three franchises this year. The two new entrants—Hyderabad and Rawalpindi—were sold for Rs1.75 billion and Rs1.85 billion, respectively, while Multan Sultans changed hands for Rs1.08 billion.
The other five established franchises subsequently reacquired their teams at comparatively lower values, creating an uneven financial landscape across the league.
The newer franchise owners are understood to be carrying heavier acquisition and operating burdens than the long-standing teams. Alongside the franchise purchase price, owners must manage player payments, coaching staff, support personnel, travel, accommodation, marketing, local sponsorships and other operational expenses.
This does not automatically mean the salary purse will be reduced. However, it explains why some owners are seeking a structure that offers more flexibility, particularly during the first years of their ownership cycle.
Broadcast revenue remains central concern
The player-purse discussion cannot be separated from the larger issue of broadcast revenue.
Under the existing PSL arrangement, the league’s eight franchises are entitled to 95 percent of broadcast revenue from the central revenue pool. Franchise owners have reportedly sought clarity on whether their full share will be paid regardless of the window in which PSL 12 is staged and the advertising performance of the broadcaster.
Walee Technologies holds the PSL’s domestic broadcast and digital rights through 2029 and also held the international media rights for the 2026 edition. The company is also the owner of Rawalpindiz, one of the new franchises, which creates an additional point of interest in discussions about the league’s commercial model.
The PCB has separately instructed stakeholders with outstanding financial obligations to clear their dues. Board officials conveyed at the London meeting that financial hardship or business challenges would not remove the obligation to settle amounts owed to the PCB.
The combination of outstanding payments, concern over advertising returns and high team expenditure has made financial certainty a priority for franchises before they commit to major player spending for PSL 12.
January proposal divides stakeholders
The PSL 12 playing window remains unresolved. The broadcaster has reportedly advocated an earlier January–February 2027 schedule, while several franchises have favoured the April–May period.
The proposal to move the tournament earlier was raised because April and May come after Ramazan, a period in which many advertisers may already have used a significant part of their annual marketing and television budgets. An earlier tournament could, in theory, give broadcasters and sponsors access to a different commercial cycle.
However, a January move would introduce fresh challenges.
Issue | January–February window | April–May window |
Advertising potential | Broadcaster believes early-year budgets could improve commercial returns | Post-Ramazan spending may be more restricted |
Overseas-player availability | Could face competition from SA20 and Australia’s Big Bash League | Recent IPL overlap provided relatively uninterrupted player availability |
Weather and logistics | Fog and cold conditions may affect Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi | More favourable playing conditions in Punjab |
Tradition | Different from PSL’s original February–March slot | Continues the recent two-season calendar pattern |
The first nine PSL editions, from 2016 through 2024, were held in the February–March period. The league moved to April and May in the previous two seasons because of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 and the T20 World Cup in 2026. The latter window resulted in an overlap with the Indian Premier League, but it also helped secure player availability because many overseas cricketers were otherwise occupied in competing T20 leagues.
Karachi could open the tournament
If PSL 12 is moved to January, Karachi is being considered as a possible opening venue before the competition shifts to Punjab and Peshawar later in the tournament.
The rationale is based on weather. January and February can bring harsh winter conditions, low evening temperatures and dense fog in Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi. Fog could affect visibility, travel schedules and the staging of night matches.
Karachi’s comparatively moderate winter climate could provide a more stable starting point. As the season progresses and conditions improve, matches could potentially move north to Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan and Peshawar. This remains a proposal rather than a final venue plan.
Pakistan currently has an available national-team window from mid-November to March, following home series against Sri Lanka and England in October and November and before the scheduled home Tests against New Zealand in March.
Beyond cricket: Esports and mid-year event
The London meeting also considered methods to expand the PSL brand beyond its main annual tournament.
One option under discussion is a move into esports, a sector that could help PSL connect with younger audiences and create year-round digital engagement. The proposal reflects concern among some franchisees about declining public interest in the league amid Pakistan’s disappointing international performances across formats.
The Governing Council also discussed the possibility of a separate mid-year event involving PSL teams, potentially in a short-format model similar to the Hong Kong Sixes. Such an event could offer an additional commercial property for franchises, sponsors and broadcasters while keeping the PSL visible outside its main tournament season.
Neither the esports plan nor the proposed mid-year competition has been approved. Both ideas remain at the exploratory stage.
What PSL 12 must resolve
The upcoming decisions will define not only PSL 12 but also the league’s long-term commercial direction. The PCB and franchises need agreement on several core issues:
– Whether the player purse should remain at US$1.6 million or be revised.
– Whether franchises can receive stronger financial certainty on central and broadcast revenue.
– Whether the 2027 tournament will be staged in January–February or April–May.
– How weather risks, venue movement and player availability will be managed.
– Whether the league can create additional commercial properties through esports or a mid-year event.
– How outstanding payments from stakeholders will be recovered without disrupting the wider league ecosystem.
A defining phase for the league
PSL 12 has moved beyond routine pre-season planning into a decisive negotiation phase. The salary-purse request shows that franchise owners are closely examining whether the league’s current expenditure levels are matched by stable revenue.
At the same time, the PCB must protect the tournament’s competitive quality. Cutting the player purse could ease costs for owners, but it may also reduce the league’s ability to attract leading Pakistani and overseas players. Retaining the existing purse, meanwhile, may preserve squad quality but increase financial stress for newer owners.
The ultimate solution may require more than a decision on player salaries. It will depend on a clearer broadcast-revenue model, reliable sponsorship income, timely settlement of dues and a tournament window that works for teams, broadcasters, players and supporters.
For now, PSL 12 remains on track, but its key financial and scheduling details are still under discussion. The PCB’s next decisions on the purse, playing window and revenue assurances will determine how confidently the league enters its next chapter.
