The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to make its biggest product, the Pakistan Super League (PSL), better. Already a success with six teams, the PCB has decided to add two more to the mix. This means that the 10th edition (PSL 2025) will be the last time that 6 teams will participate in the league that’ll take place in April–May next year.
The PSL kicked off with five teams in 2016 (Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators), and one additional team (Multan Sultans) was added in 2018. An agreement was also made between the PCB and the franchises that more teams wouldn’t be added until the 10th edition came to an end.
The board may have announced the addition, but so far, the official process of selecting the cities the new franchises will represent hasn’t started yet. Not just that, but former champions Multan Sultans’ lease is also up for renewal next year.
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Two new teams to benefit PSL?
In the recently concluded 2024 season of the PSL, it was reported that PCB had lost PKR 10 crore (Rs 2.99 crore) because of low sales of tickets (17% less than last year). The issue was highlighted most at the National Stadium in Karachi, where the crowd was scarce.
Each franchise earned about PKR 98 crore after the season culminated. However, some franchises still ended up losing money. Team expenses, like salaries, hotel stays, and airplane tickets, cost about PKR 5.5 to 6 crore, and considering that he once again has to invest money next season, they could end up losing money rather than earning it.
Big teams like Islamabad United, Quetta Gladiators, and Peshawar Zalmi might have ended up with a surplus due to sponsorship deals, but they might have found it tough to remain afloat.
