Big Decisions Await as PSL Council Meets After Two-Team Expansion

The Pakistan Super League is approaching a critical stretch behind the scenes. The PSL Governing Council is scheduled to meet virtually on Thursday, the first full council session since the league officially expanded to eight teams.

Season 11 planning has already started, and the list of discussion points is long. Some are technical, while others could reshape how the league operates for years.

Player Matters Take Centre Stage

Player retention rules and the draft framework are expected to dominate early conversations. Franchises have pushed for clarity, especially with squad continuity becoming harder in a larger league. Salary structures may also come under review, with growing belief that the current pay brackets no longer reflect the league’s rising commercial value.

Direct signings are another talking point. Several owners believe limited flexibility has slowed marquee recruitment. Adjustments here could change how teams build their cores, not just for one season, but for future cycles as well.

Scheduling will not be straightforward either. The Pakistan Cricket Board remains keen on a 23 March start, trimming the earlier proposed timeline. Eid celebrations and the annual Sport Parade add layers of complexity, forcing officials to weigh logistics against commercial commitments. Franchise input is expected before any final call is locked in.

Multan Sultans And The Ownership Puzzle

One of the key matters on the agenda is the future of Multan Sultans. With the Multan Sultans’s current ownership agreement just expired at the end of 2025, the league has opted for a stop-gap solution. The board will assume operational control of the team for the 2026 season, before offering it up for sale again in 2027.

Financially, the move carries mixed outcomes. Running the franchise internally could save close to four million dollars in central pool and sponsorship contributions. At the same time, the PCB would sacrifice the annual franchise fee, valued at around 8.5 million dollars.

Relations between former owner Ali Tareen and the board reportedly deteriorated over the past year, eventually closing the door on any extension. The Sultans’ journey has been eventful since their original sale to the Schon Group for 5.2 million dollars, once the league’s highest valuation.

Expansion Brings Fresh Momentum

Hyderabad and Sialkot have joined the fold after fetching strong prices at auction, pushing the league into a new commercial bracket. The recent sale sent a clear signal about PSL’s market strength, something officials are keen to build on rather than dilute.

Speaking late last month, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the board’s short-term plan. Multan Sultans will be managed internally for Season 11. There is an interim structure already in the works, including the appointment of a professional cricketing head.

Since launching as a five-team competition in 2016, the Pakistan Super League has grown steadily, not always smoothly, but with clear intent. Thursday’s meeting may fly under the radar publicly. The decisions taken are expected to play a significant role in shaping how the league operates and presents itself heading into the next season.