Who could be Hyderabad’s captain? Fawad Sarwar sets the criteria

ISLAMABAD: The ownership group of the newly formed Hyderabad franchise in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has reiterated that captaincy of the team will not be handed to any player merely on the basis of seniority or star status.

In an interview, franchise owner Fawad Sarwar made it clear that leadership decisions will be driven by merit and a defined selection process rather than reputation alone.

“No player — whether Pakistani or overseas — has an inherent right to lead this team just because he is a big name or senior,” Sarwar said, adding that Hyderabad has its own selection mechanism and that the captaincy will be awarded only after comprehensive consultation with technical staff.

“The captain could be anyone; the key thing is good leadership. Whoever meets that benchmark will be given the responsibility.”

Sarwar also expressed admiration for former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, describing him as his “favourite cricketer” and saying he would welcome the opportunity to include him in the squad if circumstances permitted.

The announcement comes as the franchise continues to finalise its coaching and support structure ahead of its inaugural season. Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie has been appointed head coach, with Craig White and Grant Bradburn among the assistant coaches tasked with helping build the team’s foundation.

Hyderabad enters PSL as league expands to eight teams

The Pakistan Super League, originally launched in 2015 with six city-based franchises, is set for a significant expansion in 2026 with the addition of two new teams — Hyderabad and Sialkot — bringing the total to eight for PSL 11.

At a high-profile auction held on January 8, 2026 at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad, the FKS Group secured the franchise rights for Hyderabad with a bid of Rs1.75 billion, surpassing competing bids in a competitive process.

Hyderabad’s inclusion marks the first time the historic Sindh city — a long-established centre of culture and commerce with a passionate sporting community — will be represented in the PSL. The team will make its competitive debut in PSL 11, scheduled from March 26 to May 3, 2026.

While the official team name and logo have been finalised and are expected to be publicly unveiled at a formal launch event around the PSL player auction on 11 February, the naming choice is widely believed to align with FKS Group’s existing cricket interests, notably the Chicago Kingsmen in the United States’ Minor League setup

The Hyderabad franchise will play its home matches at Niaz Stadium, a venue that local stakeholders are exploring upgrading with support from the Pakistan Cricket Board.

This strategic expansion reflects the PCB’s broader vision to grow the PSL’s footprint and commercial appeal while offering more platforms for emerging and established talent alike.