PCB confirms plans for PSL expansion to eight teams, two new venues

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set for a major expansion in its next edition, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) planning to add two new teams and as many venues to the tournament, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Salman Naseer announced on Friday.

Speaking on a PCB podcast, Naseer said the board was “very seriously considering moving on to six venues this time,” adding that “HBL PSL 11, God willing, will be played across six venues.”

He confirmed that Peshawar’s Imran Khan Stadium—formerly known as Arbab Niaz Stadium—was “almost ready” and being prepared to host matches, pending a long-term lease agreement with the provincial authorities. “We are certainly trying to prepare it for PSL 11,” he noted.

Faisalabad has also been shortlisted as the other new host city, with Naseer saying it had already been selected for upcoming international fixtures.

Discussing the league’s broader expansion, the PSL CEO revealed that the PCB aims to introduce two new franchises in the next season, with the tender process for team sales beginning in November. “There is a lot of interest and we are very keen to explore that interest,” he said, adding that there was likely to be “a lot of competition” for ownership rights.