ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) entered a historic new phase on Thursday after officially confirming the inclusion of Hyderabad and Sialkot as the league’s newest franchises ahead of the much-anticipated season 11.
The announcement followed a highly competitive franchise auction held at the Jinnah Convention Centre, Islamabad, marking the first expansion of the league since its inception. With this development, the PSL will now feature eight teams, further strengthening its position as one of the fastest-growing T20 leagues in the world.
@ptvsportshd_official Hyderabad is a New PSL Team LIVE – HBL PSL Teams Auction 2026 at Jinnah Convention Centre Ep 1 – 8 Jan 2026 #hbpsl #psl #psl11 #psl2026 #pakistan ♬ original sound – PTV Sports HD
Hyderabad and Sialkot will make their on-field debuts in PSL 11, joining the existing franchises: Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United, and Multan Sultans. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that the official team names, logos, and branding of the two new franchises will be unveiled at a later stage.
Read More: PSL Teams Auction: Hyderabad and Sialkot as New PSL Teams
The auction process witnessed strong interest from corporate groups, reflecting the league’s rising commercial appeal and expanding global footprint. After an intense round of bidding, the Hyderabad franchise was secured by the FKS Group, owned by Fawad Sarwar, for a bid valued at Rs 1.75 billion.
Moments later, OZ Developers, led by Hamza Majeed, made headlines by acquiring the Sialkot franchise for Rs 1.85 billion, the highest bid recorded during the auction. The figure underlined the growing investor confidence in the PSL’s long-term business and sporting potential.
According to PSL auction regulations, successful bidders were granted the flexibility to select their home cities from a PCB-approved list, which included Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit. After deliberations, both ownership groups finalized Hyderabad and Sialkot as their respective home bases.
@ptvsportshd_official Sialkot New PSL Team LIVE – HBL PSL Teams Auction 2026 at Jinnah Convention Centre Round 2 – 8 Jan 2026 #hbpsl #psl #psl11 #psl2026 #pakistan
♬ original sound – PTV Sports HD
Cricket analysts believe the addition of these cities will significantly enhance regional representation and fan engagement, particularly in areas with a strong cricketing culture and industrial backing. Sialkot, known for its global sports manufacturing industry, and Hyderabad, a historic cricket hub, are expected to add fresh identity and rivalry to the league.
With two new franchises on board, PSL season 11 is shaping up to be the largest and most competitive edition in the tournament’s history. The upcoming season is scheduled to take place from March 26 to May 3, featuring an expanded fixture list and broader commercial opportunities.
The PCB views this expansion as a strategic step toward elevating the PSL’s global profile while strengthening Pakistan’s domestic cricket ecosystem through increased investment, infrastructure, and talent development.
