Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed his intention to take Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches to new venues. The chairman said the board is also working towards introducing international cricket at the Muzaffarabad Stadium in PoK, with plans to host PSL matches at the venue.
Naqvi confirmed the dates for the eleventh season of the Pakistan Super League during a roadshow in New York. He announced that PSL will be played from March 26 to May 3, 2026. The timeline creates a direct overlap with the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which will take place from March 15 to May 31.
PSL will expand with two new franchises; Team auction scheduled for January 8
The Pakistan Super League fixture schedule was changed last season as Pakistan hosted the 2025 Champions Trophy between February and March. Notably, the upcoming edition of the competition is expected to be the longest yet. It lasts 39 match days.
The PSL will also expand next season. Two new franchises are added, bringing the total number of teams to eight. Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that the auction for the two new teams will take place on January 8.
Among the current teams, Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars remain the most successful teams in PSL history, with three titles each. The Lahore Qalandars are also the defending champions.
Mohsin Naqvi wants to organize PSL 11 matches in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir
The PCB confirmed plans to host Pakistan Super League matches at the Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium during a special roadshow at Lord’s in London. Mohsin Naqvi said that the board wants to organize PSL 11 matches in Muzaffarabad, PoK.
He added that the PCB also plans to bring international cricket to the venue in the future. The move to organize major matches in the region could face objections from India.
“We are trying to organize PSL 11 matches in Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir (actually known as PoK). International matches will also be held there,” said Naqvi, as quoted by Pakistani media.
India rightly continues to claim that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is an integral part of its territory. The region, including PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan, remains under Pakistani administration, while India maintains the Line of Control with Pakistan and the De facto Line of Control with China.
IPL-PSL Schedule Clash continues as competitions overlap again in 2026
The IPL and the PSL will run at the same time for the second year in a row, continuing the scheduling conflict that first occurred in 2025 when the PSL was moved to the April-May window. With a full overlap for 2026 confirmed, the rivalry between the two leagues is set to intensify.
This overlap creates problems for the PSL when it comes to signing foreign players as most international stars with IPL deals tend to opt for the Indian league. As a result, the PSL faces tough competition in signing big names throughout the season.
However, the PSL has taken a more aggressive approach to raising its global profile, including organizing a roadshow in New York. Some high-profile players like Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali opted for the PSL instead of participating in the IPL 2026 auction.
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