PSL Expands to Eight Teams as Hyderabad and Sialkot Join the League in Historic Move

Islamabad: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has entered a new era after officially adding Hyderabad and Sialkot as the league’s seventh and eighth franchises. The announcement was made on Thursday, completing the long-awaited expansion ahead of the upcoming 11th edition of the PSL.

The development marks one of the most significant milestones in PSL history, as the league grows from six to eight teams for the first time since its launch.

Sialkot Franchise Secured for Rs1.85 Billion

In a highly competitive auction process, OZ Developers, owned by Hamza Majeed, secured ownership of the eighth franchise with a winning bid of Rs1.85 billion. The new team will represent Sialkot, a city globally known for producing world-class sports equipment and nurturing cricketing talent.

The base price for the eighth franchise was set at Rs1.70 billion. Earlier, the FKS Group, led by Fawad Sarwar, had successfully acquired the first franchise on offer for Rs1.75 billion, selecting Hyderabad as its home city.

All nine qualified bidders participated aggressively in the first round of bidding, highlighting the growing commercial value and global appeal of the PSL.

PSL’s Journey from Five to Eight Teams

The PSL originally began with five teams, before Multan Sultans were added in the third season, taking the total to six. With the introduction of Hyderabad and Sialkot, the league now features eight franchises, a move aimed at expanding regional representation and fan engagement.

The 11th edition of the PSL is scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3, promising a longer and more competitive tournament with additional matches and rivalries.

Strong International Investor Interest

To attract global investors, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) organized roadshows at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London and New York, which generated unprecedented interest. According to the PCB, bids were received from investors across five continents, including the USA, Australia, Canada, UAE, and Pakistan.

After a detailed review, 10 bidders were initially shortlisted. However, the Tareen Group’s late withdrawal reduced the final number of qualified bidders to nine.

Approved Cities and Future Outlook

Successful bidders were allowed to choose home cities from a PCB-approved list that included Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit. The addition of new cities is expected to strengthen the league’s grassroots reach and commercial footprint.

Meanwhile, following franchise valuations after the 10th edition, five existing teams renewed their contracts. Multan Sultans, however, came under PCB control after contract renewal talks fell through.

With Hyderabad and Sialkot now officially on board, the PSL’s expansion signals strong investor confidence, rising global interest, and a bold new chapter for Pakistan’s premier cricket league.