While the Pakistan Super League (PSL) management continues to finalise decisions concerning PSL 11, major work remains to be completed.
According to sources close to the matter, a fresh tug-of-war has erupted ahead of PSL 11 between the franchises and the PSL management. Reportedly, the teams are pushing hard for a significant expansion in the number of matches following the addition of two new teams, while the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) insists that the tournament window cannot be stretched any further.
The league, scheduled for April–May next year, is already preparing for its biggest transition yet: the inclusion of two new teams, taking the PSL to an eight-side competition for the first time. But with expansion comes friction, and franchise owners are demanding a schedule that reflects the new scale of the league. According to details, the proposal currently under discussion ranges from 44 to 60 matches, but franchise owners want even more. Their primary demand is that each team should play at least 14 matches in the first round, ensuring greater broadcast value, higher gate revenue, and stronger overall returns.
The PCB, however, remains unconvinced. Officials have made it clear that the April–May window is already tight, and adding more fixtures could create significant logistical and player-welfare challenges—especially with Pakistan’s international calendar packed for 2026.
To ease the pressure, franchise owners have floated the idea of double-headers every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, hoping that condensed weekends will allow the league to meet commercial targets without extending beyond the available slot.
Yet the PCB has not signed off, and discussions remain ongoing.
With new teams, an expanded league, and mounting scheduling pressure, PSL 11 is shaping up to be one of the most transformative—and charged—seasons in the tournament’s history. If both sides can agree on the number of matches soon, the league could be set for its biggest commercial leap yet. If not, the friction may only intensify as April approaches.
