The Pakistan Super League (PSL) executives are considering the introduction of an additional tournament, potentially adopting a six-a-side format similar to the Hong Kong Sixes. PSL’s chief executive, Salman Naseer, revealed the idea, stating the proposed event might be called the HBL PSL Sixes and held during the off-season.
“We haven’t finalised anything yet, but we have several exciting ideas, one being a sixes tournament,” Naseer mentioned in a PSL podcast prior to the governing council meeting. Recent reports from Cricinfo highlighted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s discussions to incorporate a mid-year tournament within the existing rights agreement as a means to generate extra revenue.
The PCB is eager to keep the PSL brand vibrant all year round, and they see this additional tournament as a means to achieve that goal. The format’s shorter duration and fewer player requirements suggest it could easily be staged in smaller cities across Pakistan, which currently do not host PSL matches. However, coordinating with the availability of international players will present a scheduling challenge.
Discussing the potential for this event, Naseer, also an advisor to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, expressed: “Once it becomes a regular feature, this tournament will offer excitement and engagement for fans. It might allow us to bring cricket to smaller stadiums and cities where PSL hasn’t ventured yet, and where fans are keen to see their heroes play.”
Since transitioning fully to Pakistan in 2020, the PSL has been played across four venues: Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi. It originally launched in 2016 in the UAE before gradually moving matches to Pakistani soil.
This development coincides with the announcement that next year’s PSL will overlap with the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the third consecutive year. The PSL governing council is expected to finalise the schedule, along with player auction dates and venues, in due course.
