Gilgit and Faisalabad teams officially made part of PSL 2026

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially revealed the names of the two new franchises joining the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Following a recent call for proposals featuring six potential cities; Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Hyderabad, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit; sources now confirm that Gilgit and Faisalabad have been finalised as the latest additions.

With these new teams, the PSL will expand from six to eight franchises for its 11th edition. Since its inception in 2016 with five teams, the PSL has steadily evolved, including the addition of Multan Sultans in 2018.

The announcement comes as the PSL celebrates a decade of cricketing excellence, with the PCB focusing on the league’s commitment to widening its reach and fostering cricket talent across more regions of Pakistan. Fans can now look forward to an expanded and more competitive tournament when the PSL returns next season.

MULTAN SULTANS’ FUTURE REMAINS UNCERTAIN

Meanwhile, the management of Multan Sultans issued a statement saying that despite repeated attempts to reach out to the PCB, they have no received any response. The PSL management issued details of the contract renewal and the latest edition of the PSL tournament to the franchises in the past week, while owner of Multan Sultans Ali Tareen said that they have not received any correspondence.

Tareen, in a series of statements, said the franchise had attempted multiple times over the past month to contact PSL officials but received “no response from the PCB”. He claimed that despite consistent efforts, Multan Sultans had not been provided updates on the team’s valuation, nor had they received the renewal or offer letter required for the next commercial cycle.

Tareen warned that if the “current attitude” from the PSL administration persisted, the franchise would be left with “no option but to take legal action.”

Tensions have been simmering for months, with Multan Sultans claiming to have repeatedly approached PSL management for clarity on the renewal process. According to sources familiar with the matter, the franchise recently sent yet another formal letter to PSL headquarters demanding the league’s valuation report and an updated offer letter, documents they say are necessary for planning ahead.