60pc talent comes from KP: Will PCB also play PSL matches in Peshawar this season?

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said that the board is considering fielding two teams to ensure emerging talent across the country is not wasted.

Talking to the media in Peshawar, Naqvi said that nearly 60 per cent of the current national squad hails from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, underlining the depth of cricketing talent in the province.

“With such strong representation and ability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, we are even considering forming two teams so that no player’s talent goes to waste,” Naqvi said.

“The PCB is taking steps to make sure players get maximum opportunities to progress.”

He said that the board is working jointly with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Board to further strengthen grassroots and domestic structures in the region.

PSL IS COMING TO PESHAWAR! Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Apex Committee meeting reviews the security situation.#PSLNewEra pic.twitter.com/BjU5PYOjCM

— Khurram Dilawar Choudhry (@khurram333) February 10, 2026

To encourage competitive cricket, Naqvi announced prize money of Rs5 million for the tournament winners and Rs2.5 million for the runners-up.

Addressing recent developments involving Bangladesh, Naqvi said that the PCB intended to “ensure respect for Bangladesh” and that there was no personal motive behind the decision.

“We accepted the stance Bangladesh adopted,” he said.

Naqvi also promised more positive developments on the sports front in the coming days, adding that all institutions in the country were working together to combat terrorism.

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Meanwhile, Azhar Mehmood has also been officially announced as assistant and bowling coach for the Peshawar Zalmi team for the upcoming PSL 11th edition.

Duration and venues

The PSL 2026 will be held from March 26 to May 3, spanning a total of 39 days. The matches will take place in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan and for the first time in Peshawar as well as Faisalabad. This season will feature 8 teams, an increase from 6 teams in the previous edition.

Number of matches and format

A total of 44 matches will be played in the tournament, with each team guaranteed to play at least 10 matches. The tournament will follow a stage-wise format to accommodate all matches within the 39-day window.

First stage (single league)

In the first stage, each team will play at least one match against every other team. This stage will comprise 28 matches in total, forming the initial league round.

Second stage (Group stage)

After the first stage, the 8 teams will be divided into two groups of four. Within each group, every team will play 3 matches, resulting in 12 matches during the group stage.

Super four or playoffs

The top 2 teams from the group stage will advance to the playoffs, which will include the Super Four stage and the final. This stage will account for 4 matches in total.

Total matches breakdown

Overall, the tournament will feature 28 matches in the first stage, 12 matches in the second stage, and 4 matches in the Super Four or playoffs stage, making a total of 44 matches.

Other key points

Had the PSL been conducted on a double-league basis, 60 matches would have been required, which was not feasible within the 39-day window. Therefore, the single-league format was adopted. By the end of the group stage, every team will have played at least 10 matches, ensuring fair participation for all sides.