The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set to undergo a significant transformation with the addition of two new franchises in 2026. This expansion, confirmed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), marks the first change since including the Multan Sultans in 2018. The upcoming 2025 season will be the last with six teams, making the 2026 season a landmark event as the PSL evolves into an eight-team league.

History of the PSL

The PSL was established in 2015 to reinvigorate cricket in Pakistan. The league started with five franchises: Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators. Over the years, the league has grown in popularity and stature, attracting top international players and delivering high-octane cricket. The first expansion occurred in 2018 with the addition of the Multan Sultans, bringing the total to six teams.

See Also: Gambhir approached by BCCI to become next head coach of India team

Details of the New Expansion

The PCB’s announcement to add two new teams by 2026 has been anticipated since an agreement with the current franchises not to expand until after the tenth season.

The PCB’s official confirmation sets the stage for significant changes in the league’s structure and operations. The process for deciding which cities the new teams will represent is yet to begin, but it is expected to be a thorough and competitive selection.

Impact on the League Structure

The transition from a six-team to an eight-team league will necessitate tournament format and scheduling changes. To accommodate the additional matches, the league will likely adopt a more extended season with more teams. This expansion aims to enhance the league’s competitiveness and increase its appeal to a broader audience.

The selection of cities for the new franchises will be a pivotal decision. Given their rich, cricketing history and strong local support, cities like Faisalabad, Hyderabad, and Sialkot are potential contenders.

Challenges and Contentions

One of the most contentious issues is the scheduling conflict with the Indian Premier League (IPL). In 2025, the PSL’s traditional window in February-March will be occupied by the Champions Trophy, forcing the PCB to consider moving the PSL to April-May. This new window directly clashes with the IPL, raising concerns about player availability and competition in viewership.

PCB’s Proposed Solutions

To address these concerns, the PCB has proposed new player recruitment rules, allowing franchises to sign one marquee player independently of the draft. This move aims to ensure the availability of top players despite the scheduling conflict. Additionally, the PCB has offered financial incentives to franchises to support this transition.

During the recent Pakistan Super League (PSL) match between Quetta Gladiators and Lahore Qalandars at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium, Mohammad Amir, the talented pace bowler for Quetta Gladiators, found himself embroiled in a moment of fury. A member of the crowd labeled him a “fixer,” igniting Amir’s anger.

In response, he sharply retorted, questioning the values instilled at the individual’s home. This incident not only reflected Amir’s emotional response but also brought back haunting memories of a turbulent phase in his cricketing career.The turbulent chapter in Amir’s journey dates back to 2010 when he, alongside teammates Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt, was implicated in a spot-fixing scandal at Lord’s.

The scandal, orchestrated through a British newspaper sting operation, cast a shadow over Amir’s promising career trajectory. Consequently, he faced severe consequences, including cricket bans and imprisonment. This period marked a significant downturn in Amir’s career, tarnishing his reputation and shaking the cricketing world.

From Turmoil to Triumph: Mohammad Amir’s Journey of Resilience

Despite the adversity he faced, Amir’s story evoked sympathy from many quarters. His youth at the time of the scandal garnered understanding from fans and observers alike. After serving his ban, Amir displayed resilience by making a remarkable comeback to international cricket in 2016. His journey from being a fallen figure to a redeemed player served as a testament to his strength of character and determination to overcome challenges.

Amir’s recent outburst during the PSL match underlines the enduring impact of the spot-fixing scandal on his psyche. The derogatory remarks hurled at him by spectators triggered raw emotions, hinting at the lingering wounds from past controversies. Despite his efforts to move past the scandal, it remains an indelible part of his narrative, resurfacing in moments of vulnerability.

SEE ALSO: Watch:Fan presents Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni with handcrafted art pieces

As Quetta Gladiators, Amir’s team, secured a place in the playoffs of the ongoing PSL season, the incident serves as a reminder of the complex journey Amir has undertaken. His resilience and determination in the face of adversity continue to define his narrative, showcasing a story of redemption amidst the challenges of professional sports.

Asif Ali, the Pakistan middle-order batter, showcased remarkable fielding prowess in the ongoing season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). During the clash between Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans, Ali pulled off a stunning catch at the boundary ropes, adding to the excitement of the match.

In the intense encounter held in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, March 5th, Peshawar Zalmi secured a narrow four-run victory over Multan Sultans. Led by Babar Azam, the team successfully defended a formidable total of 204 runs. Babar’s exceptional batting performance earned him the title of ‘Player of the Match,’ contributing significantly to his team’s triumph.

The Spectacular Boundary Catch by Asif Ali

In the 12th over of Multan Sultan’s run-chase, Aamer Jamal delivered a short-length ball, prompting Dawid Malan to attempt a pull shot that didn’t quite clear the field. As the ball headed towards square leg, Asif Ali positioned himself strategically.

With remarkable agility, Asif Ali soared at the boundary ropes to execute a breathtaking catch, ending Malan’s innings at 19 runs off 19 balls. Demonstrating exceptional skill, Ali completed the catch before landing gracefully within the playing area, earning accolades from both fans and teammates, notably Babar Azam.

Babar Azam’s Team Advances to Third Position in Points Standings

Peshawar Zalmi demonstrated dominance with the bat as they chose to bat first against the Multan Sultans. Babar Azam spearheaded the innings with a remarkable 64 runs from 40 deliveries, ably assisted by Saim Ayub’s explosive 46 off just 22 balls, highlighted by five sixes and three boundaries.

Babar Azam and Saim Ayub formed a formidable partnership, adding 84 runs in just 36 balls, laying a solid foundation for Peshawar Zalmi. Haseebullah Khan contributed 31 runs off 20 balls, and Rovman Powell remained unbeaten with 23 runs off 15 deliveries, boosting the team’s total to 204/5 in 20 overs.

Multan Sultans faced a challenging start, losing Mohammad Rizwan early on after his brisk 32 off 24 deliveries. Despite Iftikhar Ahmed’s explosive 60 off 27 balls and Chris Jordan’s quickfire 30 off 12, Multan fell short of the target.

Usama Mir was the standout performer among Multan Sultans’ bowlers, claiming three wickets for 32 runs. England pacer Chris Jordan also made a notable contribution with two wickets for 33 runs.

Aamer Jamal emerged as the standout bowler for Peshawar Zalmi, taking two crucial wickets for 36 runs in his four overs. Naveen ul Haq and Mehran Mumtaz claimed one wicket each in the defense of the target.

Despite the loss, Multan Sultans maintain their lead in the points table with six victories in eight matches, boasting a net run rate of +0.967. Peshawar Zalmi’s recent win secures their fourth victory of the season, placing them third in the standings with a net run rate of -0.625.

SEE ALSO:WPL 2024 Points Table: Updated after Match 12 between MI W and DC W

Playing XI for the Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans match:

Peshawar Zalmi XI: Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (c), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Haseebullah Khan (w), Rovman Powell, Asif Ali, Aamer Jamal, Luke Wood, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mehran Mumtaz, Salman Irshad

Multan Sultans XI: Mohammad Rizwan (w/c), Reeza Hendricks, Dawid Malan, Tayyab Tahir, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Chris Jordan, David Willey, Usama Mir, Aftab Ibrahim, Mohammad Ali

Shaheen Shah Afridi, the captain of Lahore Qalandars captain spoke about the importance of the Pakistan Super League for the country’s greater good. According to him, cricket makes people happy and hence the T20 league brings joy.

Afridi on PSL bringing joy

Pakistan has been struggling on all fronts for quite some time. The Pakistan T20I captain who is also the Lahore Qalandars skipper, Shaheed Shah Afridi highlighted amidst this how the PSL brings distraction and joy for the people who love cricket. “The way the country’s situation is. The PSL and cricket is something that makes people happy. Elections just got over, so I’m hopeful the crowds turn up and support cricket.”

When I wasn’t captain, I didn’t know a lot of things

In an interaction with ESPNcricinfo, Afridi also talked about his learnings from captaincy. “When I wasn’t captain, I didn’t know a lot of things. Some so them are so basic I don’t even want to tell you about them. When you’re a bowler you only focus on yourself and your bowling.” He explained how everyone in the squad is equal to a skipper. He spoke about how a leader must take the team along with them and be extra responsible for everyone who is part of the squad and team management.

“When you’re captain, the 11 who play and the five sitting on the bench are all your players. You have to treat them as individuals, talk to them all, and keep a friendly atmosphere. You even have a responsibility to conduct yourself in a particular way with the coaching staff, because you’re all pursuing the same goals.”

Afridi replaced Babar Azam as Pakistan’s T20I captain after the 2023 World Cup based on his previous captaincy stint with the Lahore Qalandars. He had taken charge of them ahead of the 2022 PSL edition and led them back-to-back two titles. However, under Afridi’s captaincy Pakistan lost their maiden series 4-1 to New Zealand away from home.