ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan Super League (PSL) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Salman Naseer, has announced that two additional teams and two more venues will feature in the next season of the tournament.
In a post released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Salman Naseem said that the process of selling the new franchise teams will begin in November, and tough competition is expected among bidders.
The PSL, which began in 2016 with five teams, expanded to six franchises with the addition of Multan Sultans in 2018. The inclusion of two more sides would mark its first major restructuring in seven years and push the total number of teams to eight.
He further said that the PSL management was very seriously considering moving beyond four cities this time to increase its footprint, adding that HBL PSL 11, God willing, will be played across six venues.
He added that the Imran Khan Stadium, formerly Arbab Niaz Stadium, in Peshawar and Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium are two new potential venues for the 11th edition of the PSL.
“I think from our side, as management and even all the other stakeholders, even the franchises, everyone wants our footprint to increase beyond these four cities,” said Naseer.
Naseer highlighted that the Imran Khan Stadium requires minor upgradation to host the international cricket before expressing his determination that it would be done in time.
Salman Naseer further mentioned that the valuation of the PSL is currently underway, but the process has been delayed due to pending data from franchise owners. He expressed hope that the valuation report will be completed by the end of October.
