LAHORE (Kashmir English): The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is all set to introduce changes in its 11th edition, with reports suggesting that the format for the upcoming event will be aligned to the league’s expansion to eight teams.
Scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3 next year, the upcoming tournament will feature 44 matches spread across a 39-day window.
With two additional franchises yet to join the competition, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has opted to move away from the traditional double round-robin league system in order to maintain a compact schedule without overburdening players.
PSL 11 to be staged in two phases
According to details emerging from the discussions, PSL 11 will be staged in two phases. The opening phase will follow a single-league format, where all eight teams face each other once.
This first round will ensure that each side faces all the seven opponents before the competition progresses to its next stage.
Following the completion of the league phase, the tournament will enter into a Super Four-style structure. The eight teams will be divided into two groups of four based on their performance/standings in the first phase.
In this round, each team will play three matches within its group, producing a total of 12 fixtures that will play a decisive role in shaping the final table ahead of the playoffs.
At the conclusion of the Super Four phase, the top two teams on the combined standings will qualify for the playoffs. As per the PSL’s established tradition, the knockout stage will consist of four matches, including the grand final, which will determine the champions of the tournament.
Despite the expanded field and new format, the board is keen to ensure competitive balance. Each franchise will still be guaranteed a minimum of 10 matches, matching the workload of sides in previous seasons and safeguarding commercial and sporting equity.
The matches will be staged across the country’s major cricketing centres, including Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan.
Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad is also set to host PSL matches for the first time.
