The race to personal a Pakistan Tremendous League (PSL) franchise has intensified. Picture: PCB/File
KARACHI:
The race to personal a Pakistan Tremendous League (PSL) franchise has intensified, with two new groups set to hitch the competitors from PSL 11 onwards and as many as 12 events competing for possession rights.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has termed the response to the bidding course of as “extraordinary”, underlining the league’s rising business attraction at dwelling and overseas.
Based on particulars, the preliminary outcomes of the tender course of will likely be introduced on Saturday. Bidders who meet the technical and monetary standards will then advance to an open public sale, scheduled for January 8 on the Islamabad Conference Centre. The PCB has reiterated its dedication to making sure a clear, aggressive and internationally benchmarked course of because it seems to be to additional strengthen the PSL model.
The prolonged deadline for bids attracted 12 events from 5 nations — Pakistan, the US, Australia, Canada and the United Arab Emirates. The varied pool of bidders contains cell phone producers, photo voltaic panel corporations, actual property teams, distinguished enterprise entities and high-net-worth people. In a number of circumstances, consortiums have been shaped to mount stronger bids, reflecting the dimensions of funding and long-term planning concerned.
From PSL 11, the league will broaden to eight groups for the primary time, a major milestone in its evolution. The 2 new franchises will likely be awarded possession rights for a 10-year interval, operating from 2026 to 2035. Profitable bidders can have the choice to pick out a city-based identify from a PCB-approved listing that features Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad and Gilgit. Alternatively, homeowners could suggest a metropolis identify outdoors this listing, topic to PCB approval.
To register a franchise identify, bidders should pay a non-refundable charge of USD 1 million. Groups may additionally use a suffix alongside the town identify, offered they obtain written approval from the PCB. Nevertheless, the board has made it clear that the present group suffixes — Qalandars, Kings, United, Zalmi, Gladiators and Sultans — can’t be reused beneath any circumstances.
In a transfer designed to guard new buyers, the PCB has assured each incoming franchises a minimal income share of PKR 850 million from the central pool earnings for the primary 5 PSL editions after they be a part of the league. This assurance is aimed toward making franchise possession financially viable throughout the preliminary years, when groups usually make investments closely in infrastructure, branding and squad growth.
PSL 11 itself is scheduled to run from March 26 to Might 3, 2026, and can characteristic 44 matches throughout a number of venues as a part of the expanded format. The addition of two new groups is anticipated to extend competitiveness, broaden the league’s geographical footprint and unlock new business alternatives.
In the meantime, uncertainty continues to encompass the way forward for Multan Sultans. The franchise’s present possession has not been renewed following repeated controversial statements by the proprietor, who can be reportedly tired of retaining the group. One possibility into account is for the PCB to handle Multan Sultans on a brief foundation throughout PSL 11, whereas a longer-term answer is explored.
With international curiosity rising and growth firmly on monitor, the upcoming weeks might show decisive in shaping the subsequent chapter of the PSL.
