Lahore, October 22,2026: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is exploring plans to launch a six-a-side cricket tournament during the off-season, aiming to expand the league’s reach, attract more fans and keep its brand active throughout the year.
PSL Chief Executive Salman Naseer revealed that the proposed competition, tentatively named the PSL Sixes, could follow a format similar to the Hong Kong Sixes. However, he stressed that the proposal remained at an early stage and no final decision had been made.
“Nothing is finalised, but there are some exciting plans, and one of them is a sixes tournament, called the PSL Sixes, which will be in the off-season,” Naseer said in a PSL podcast released ahead of a governing council meeting.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been exploring ways to maintain the PSL’s momentum beyond its main tournament window. A shorter competition could create additional commercial opportunities for franchises and sponsors while providing fans with more cricket throughout the year.
The proposed event could also enable the PCB to take the PSL brand to smaller cities where regular-season matches have yet to be staged. With fewer players involved and a shorter duration, the tournament could require less logistical support than the main league.
Naseer, who also serves as an adviser to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, said the board would continue assessing the proposal, highlighting its potential to attract audiences and broaden the league’s footprint.
“We will look into the prospect of launching this tournament, and it will be very exciting, entertaining and engaging for the fans when it becomes a recurring feature,” he said.
He added that the competition could be staged at smaller grounds and in cities where the PSL had not previously been held, allowing more cricket enthusiasts to watch the action live.
“Maybe even going to the smaller stadiums and smaller cities, where we have not been able to take the PSL and we know the fans are eager to watch cricket. So, a smaller event might be doable, which is what we are exploring,” Naseer said.
One of the key challenges would be finding a suitable scheduling window that allows international players to participate without conflicting with their commitments to other domestic and international competitions.
Since its launch in 2016, the PSL has steadily expanded its presence in Pakistan. The inaugural edition was held in the United Arab Emirates before the PCB gradually shifted matches to Pakistan in subsequent seasons.
The tournament has been staged entirely in Pakistan since 2020, with Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi serving as established venues.
Meanwhile, the PCB has announced that the 2027 PSL season is expected to overlap with the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the third consecutive year, creating another scheduling challenge for the tournament.
The PSL governing council is expected to finalise the schedule for the next edition, along with the dates and venue for the player auction, as preparations continue.
Further details about the proposed PSL Sixes, including its format, schedule and participating teams, have yet to be announced.
