The Pakistan Super League just wrapped up one of its biggest seasons yet. The 2026 edition, branded HBL PSL 11, brought new teams, a new auction system, and a champion who made history. Here’s everything you need to know about how this season played out.
What Was the 2026 Pakistan Super League?
The 2026 Pakistan Super League was the eleventh edition of Pakistan’s top T20 cricket competition. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) organizes the league every year. This season ran from 26 March to 3 May 2026, with 44 matches played across Karachi and Lahore.
Peshawar Zalmi won the tournament. They beat debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets in the final, picking up their second PSL title.
Why This Season Was Different
This wasn’t just another year of PSL cricket. The 2026 season marked a turning point for the league in several ways.
Expansion From Six to Eight Teams
The biggest change was expansion. The league grew from six franchises to eight. Two new teams joined the competition:
- Hyderabad Kingsmen-acquired by FKS Group
- Rawalpindiz-formed after Walee Technologies bought the former Multan Sultans franchise and relocated it
Interestingly, the Multan Sultans name didn’t disappear. After Sialkot’s ownership changed hands, the new owners, CD Ventures, brought the Multan Sultans identity back under their franchise.
New Franchise Agreements
The original six-team agreements, signed for ten years, expired after the 2025 season. The PCB brought in Ernst & Young to value the league’s assets before setting new terms for 2026 to 2035. Five of the six original franchises renewed their deals. Only Multan Sultans’ original owner, Ali Tareen, chose not to continue, citing financial losses and management disagreements.
How Players Were Selected: The New Auction System
For the first time in Pakistan Super League history, players were picked through an auction instead of the traditional draft used since 2016. The auction took place on 11 February 2026 in Lahore.
Here’s what made the auction stand out:
- 888 players registered across four base price categories.
- Team purse was capped at Rs. 45 crore, extendable to Rs. 50.5 crore for one new foreign signing.
- Franchises could retain up to four players before the auction began.
- New franchises were allowed four retentions to match the existing teams.
Pakistani pacer Naseem Shah became the most expensive player overall, going to Rawalpindiz for Rs. 8.65 crore. New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell was the most expensive overseas signing, also joining Rawalpindiz, for Rs. 8 crore.
Venues and a Season Behind Closed Doors
The PCB originally planned matches across six cities. That changed when the 2026 Iran war affected the region’s economy. On 22 March, the Government of Pakistan and the PCB announced the tournament would move to just two cities, Lahore and Karachi, and be played behind closed doors to save fuel.
Later, franchise owners requested an exception, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif allowed fans to attend the playoffs and the final. The matches were held at:
- Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- National Bank Stadium, Karachi
Prize Money and the Trophy
The champions, Peshawar Zalmi, took home US$500,000. The runner-up, Hyderabad Kingsmen, received US$300,000. A separate US$200,000 award went to the franchise judged best at contributing to cricket development.
The season also featured a new trophy called “Infinity.” Hanif Jewellers designed it, and 18 artisans handcrafted it. The trophy had a circular base with eight emerald-cut jewels, one for each team, plus golden arms holding a crescent, a star, and hundreds of small crystals. It was revealed on 11 March at National Bank Stadium and toured the country before the final.
Broadcasting and Marketing Highlights
Walee Technologies, which also owns the Rawalpindiz franchise, won the broadcasting rights for this season. The deal marked a 149 percent increase in value compared to the previous rights cycle. Local broadcasting and streaming rights alone sold for Rs. 2,611 crore over four years.
Because fans couldn’t attend most matches in person, this season became largely a watch-from-home event. The broadcast added a dedicated Urdu feed and a new match analysis talk show. Former player Shoaib Malik made his debut as an Urdu commentator after retiring from the game. The season’s official anthem, “Khelenge Beat Pe,” released on 24 March.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 Pakistan Super League?
Peshawar Zalmi won the 2026 Pakistan Super League, beating Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets in the final.
How many teams played in PSL 11?
Eight teams played in the 2026 season, up from six the previous year, following the addition of Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindiz.
Where was the 2026 Pakistan Super League held?
Matches were held in Lahore and Karachi, at Gaddafi Stadium and National Bank Stadium respectively.
How were players selected for PSL 11?
Players were chosen through an auction held on 11 February 2026, replacing the draft system used since 2016.
Why were matches played without spectators?
The 2026 Iran war affected the region’s economy, leading the Government of Pakistan and the PCB to limit the tournament to two cities and play most matches behind closed doors to save fuel.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Pakistan Super League will be remembered for more than just Peshawar Zalmi’s title win. New franchises, a first-ever player auction, and matches played under unusual circumstances all made this season one of the most eventful in the league’s history. As the PCB moves into its new ten-year franchise cycle, PSL 11 sets the tone for what comes next.
Comparing major T20 competitions? See our Big Bash League stats, winners and all-time records.
