Post by : Saif Rahman

The Pakistan Super League has announced its expansion, increasing from six to eight teams through the addition of two new franchises. This decision was made official on Thursday following a successful auction by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Ownership of the new teams was secured by two business entities for a staggering total of 12.75 million dollars, approximately 114 crore rupees. OZ Developers, a consortium in real estate, acquired the Sialkot franchise with a bid of 1.85 billion Pakistani rupees, while the Hyderabad franchise was obtained by the FKS Group, based in the United States, for 1.75 billion Pakistani rupees.

The bidding for the Hyderabad franchise generated significant attention, as its sale price is nearly equivalent to the combined salaries of Indian Premier League players Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant. Iyer reportedly earns around 26.75 crore rupees, and Pant’s salary is close to 27 crore rupees, making their total compensation similar to that for the Hyderabad team. This underscores the stark contrast between franchise values in the PSL and player earnings in the IPL.

Despite the addition of the two franchises, the total cost still falls short of the salaries garnered by top players sold during the IPL 2026 auction. This indicates that while the PSL is on a growth trajectory, it maintains a more modest financial framework.

The upcoming season, scheduled to kick off on March 26, aims to enhance competition and provide increased opportunities for talent, capturing the attention of fans within Pakistan and in international markets.

For the next season, Multan Sultans will remain under the management of the Pakistan Cricket Board, with plans to put the team up for sale post-tournament in April. Previous owner, Ali Tareen, had the option to participate in the bidding for new franchises but ultimately decided to withdraw shortly before the auction.

Tareen expressed that his focus is on South Punjab and he may return to league participation once the Multan franchise is available again.

This successful auction symbolizes the increasing trust in the Pakistan Super League as a formidable T20 competition. With fresh teams, investments, and heightened interest, the PSL continues to bolster its stature in the global cricket landscape.

#Sports News