Rawalpindi, April 15, 2025: Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has called on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to introduce a new Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise named “Pindi Express”, in honor of his famed moniker and to represent his hometown, Rawalpindi.
Speaking during a media appearance amid the ongoing PSL season, Akhtar said Rawalpindi’s deep-rooted cricketing culture and its history of producing elite fast bowlers make it a natural candidate for league expansion.
“Rawalpindi lives and breathes cricket,” Akhtar said. “It has produced world-class pacers like Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf, and myself. It’s time the city got the recognition it deserves with its own PSL franchise — Pindi Express.”
The proposed name not only reflects Akhtar’s personal legacy but also resonates with Rawalpindi’s reputation as a cradle of pace talent. The city’s stadium has regularly hosted PSL matches, often drawing large crowds and delivering high-octane contests.
The call for a Rawalpindi-based team comes as PSL officials hint at expanding the league. PCB’s Chief Operating Officer, Salman Naseer, recently confirmed discussions around adding two new franchises for the tournament’s 11th edition next year.
“By the end of this year, we could have two additional teams,” Naseer stated. “Having brought cricket back to major venues like Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Multan, the next step is to expand further.”
Launched in 2016 with five teams, the PSL added Multan Sultans in 2018, taking the total to six. The possible addition of more teams reflects the league’s growing popularity and commercial viability.
Akhtar’s proposal has struck a chord with fans, many of whom have taken to social media to support the idea of “Pindi Express” becoming the league’s next franchise. With momentum building, the PCB may soon have to consider whether Rawalpindi’s time in the PSL spotlight has finally arrived.
