The Pakistan Super League, commonly known as the PSL, is the country's premier professional T20 cricket league. Founded and organized by the Pakistan Cricket Board in 2015, the PSL has rapidly evolved into one of the most prominent T20 leagues globally. Since its inaugural season in 2016, the tournament has drawn attention from fans worldwide and has featured top-tier players from across the globe.
As of the 2025 season, the PSL features six teams, each representing a major city in Pakistan. These teams compete in a double round-robin format followed by playoffs, mirroring the structure of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Every team plays the others twice in the league stage, with the top four advancing to the knockout phase.
Despite occasional discussions about league expansion, the PSL has maintained a stable six-team format since 2018. The tournament typically runs from February to March each year and offers not only competitive cricket but also a platform for local and international players. The winning team receives a prize of approximately USD 500,000 along with significant recognition and commercial exposure.
At its inception in 2015, the PSL began with five teams. In 2018, Multan Sultans joined as the sixth franchise, marking the league's expansion. While further additions have been speculated, no new teams have been officially introduced since then. The current six franchises are:
Islamabad United – Based in Islamabad, established in 2015, home ground: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Karachi Kings – Based in Karachi, established in 2015, home ground: National Stadium.
Lahore Qalandars – Based in Lahore, established in 2015, home ground: Gaddafi Stadium.
Multan Sultans – Based in Multan, established in 2017, home ground: Multan Cricket Stadium.
Peshawar Zalmi – Based in Peshawar, established in 2015, home ground: Arbab Niaz Stadium (also known as Imran Khan Cricket Stadium).
Quetta Gladiators – Based in Quetta, established in 2015, home ground: Bugti Stadium.
Each team embodies the spirit and identity of its respective city while contributing to the broader development of cricket culture in Pakistan.
Islamabad United is the most successful team in PSL history, having won the title three times-in 2016, 2018, and most recently in 2024. Lahore Qalandars follow with back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, showcasing consistent performance and strong squad depth.
The champions not only receive generous cash prizes but also benefit from commercial rewards and a large fan following. The league continues to attract top international stars from England, South Africa, Australia, and beyond, such as Chris Gayle, Rashid Khan, Dale Steyn, and Alex Hales. Their participation has elevated the league's quality and global appeal.
The PCB has expressed its intention to expand the PSL to eight teams by 2026. Several cities have shown interest in joining the league, and official announcements regarding new franchises are expected in due course.
Fans can watch PSL matches live and track real-time scores on multiple platforms, including: PTV Sports, A Sports, Ten Sports, Ascores, ESPNcricinfo.
These platforms also provide comprehensive coverage of Cricket Match Schedule, team rosters, and player stats.
Q1: Which is the most valuable team in the PSL?
Karachi Kings are often considered the most valuable franchise due to their location, market size, and strong commercial backing.
Q2: How many teams are there in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL)?
The BPL currently consists of seven teams.
Q3: How many teams play in the Indian Premier League (IPL)?
As of the 2025 season, the IPL features 10 teams, including the newer franchises Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans.