LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken a major step toward expanding the Pakistan Super League (PSL) by officially announcing the first three qualified bidders for the auction of two new franchises ahead of PSL season 11.
In a series of updates shared through the league’s official social media channels on Monday, the PCB revealed that Inverex Solar Energy, OZ Group of Companies, and VGO TEL Mobile have successfully cleared the initial qualification phase. These bidders emerged from a pool of ten interested parties that submitted proposals for the much-anticipated league expansion.
The announcement marks a significant milestone in the PSL’s journey as the tournament prepares to move from a six-team structure to an eight-team competition. The PCB has been conducting a detailed technical and financial assessment of all applications to ensure that only financially stable and commercially capable groups are allowed to participate in the auction process.
According to the board, the auction for the two new franchises will take place on Thursday at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad, an event expected to draw considerable attention from cricket stakeholders and business leaders alike.
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The upcoming PSL 11 season is scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3, aligning with the board’s strategy to further strengthen the league’s international profile and commercial value. Expansion is seen as a crucial step in enhancing competitiveness, increasing regional representation, and unlocking new revenue streams for Pakistan’s premier T20 tournament.
Under the expansion framework, successful bidders will also be granted the opportunity to select a home city from a PCB-approved list. The cities available for selection include Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit, offering franchises a chance to tap into new fan bases across different regions of the country.
The PCB has emphasized that the evaluation process is designed to safeguard the league’s long-term sustainability. Officials believe that carefully vetted ownership groups will help maintain the PSL’s financial health while ensuring professional management and global marketability.
Adding further prestige to the event, former Pakistan captain and legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram, who has been named the brand ambassador for PSL 11, will supervise the auction proceedings. His presence is expected to underline the importance of transparency and credibility as the league enters a new phase of growth.
Since its inception in 2016, the Pakistan Super League has evolved into one of the world’s leading T20 competitions. With expansion now firmly underway, PSL 11 is shaping up to be a landmark season that could redefine the league’s future both on and off the field.
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