Photo Credit: Twitter Profile Photo of @salnaseer
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set for a significant transformation, as the tournament plans to expand from six to eight teams following the 2025 season. PSL CEO Salman Naseer confirmed the league’s ambitious roadmap, highlighting the meticulous preparation required to accommodate the expansion.
In an interview with Sportstar, Naseer emphasized that the PSL is far from stagnation, constantly evolving to meet new challenges. “At the end of this year, we might get two more teams. There’s always something going on, which re-energizes the concept, the event, and the passion of the fans,” he said.
Since its inception, the PSL has undergone a series of transformations. Initially staged abroad due to security concerns in Pakistan, the league gradually transitioned to full-scale domestic hosting. “We started the league at a time when there was no cricket happening in Pakistan. We had to play abroad. The challenge was to bring cricket back to Pakistan,” Naseer recalled. Overcoming logistical and global challenges, the league has now firmly established itself as one of the premier T20 competitions worldwide.
Now, with the addition of two new franchises on the horizon, PSL management is focused on ensuring a seamless expansion process. “The competitiveness of the league has been one of its hallmarks. The addition of two new teams means we need to maintain that balance between bat and ball, ensuring that the quality of competition remains high,” Naseer noted.
Beyond gameplay considerations, the expansion will also require strategic planning in terms of logistics, scheduling, and fan engagement. “This year, for example, Peshawar will feature in an exhibition game for the first time. That’s a step in the right direction as we take PSL beyond the traditional centers,” Naseer explained. Additionally, he highlighted plans for a trophy tour within Pakistan, which will bring the league closer to fans in cities that do not yet host PSL matches.
Expanding into new cities is a key priority for the PSL. “It was a challenge just to come back to these traditional centers. And now that we’ve been able to do that, the desire, especially this year and moving forward, is to take the PSL beyond these four cities,” Naseer said. “One of the elements that we’ve incorporated in a step in that direction this year is that we are going to have a trophy tour inside the country for the first time. It will be fairly extensive.” He further elaborated on efforts to engage fans outside major urban hubs, saying, “The idea is to reach some of those audiences which don’t originally get to see live action within the stadium. We are also exploring the concept of a fan park.” These initiatives are part of a broader vision to make PSL a truly national event, connecting with cricket lovers across Pakistan.
As more T20 leagues emerge worldwide, Naseer acknowledged that workload management for players is becoming increasingly critical. “The volume of cricket has increased. It’s important for the players themselves and the boards to devise strategies to protect them. While we want them to participate in leagues globally, their well-being and performance in international cricket must also be prioritized.”
Another key consideration is scheduling. With leagues like SA20 and ILT20 now occupying the January-February window, the PSL’s traditional slot faces potential clashes. Naseer remains pragmatic, stating, “Other leagues have largely avoided our window. This year will be an interesting experiment. With a larger number of teams, we expect a bigger window to be available.”
The expansion will also coincide with crucial commercial milestones for the PSL. “Some of our rights are going to be up for valuation and sale. A lot will depend on our analysis and the data we receive after this PSL,” he noted.
As the league prepares for its next phase, the expansion represents not just an increase in teams but an opportunity to elevate the PSL’s stature globally. Naseer’s vision is clear: to continue growing the league while ensuring it remains one of the most competitive and well-regarded T20 tournaments in the world. The road to 2026 will be one of meticulous planning and execution, but for the PSL, the future has never looked brighter.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
