The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is considering launching a six-a-side cricket tournament during the league’s off-season to keep the competition active throughout the year, attract more fans and generate additional revenue for franchises.
According to cricket website ESPNcricinfo, PSL Chief Executive Salman Naseer has indicated that the proposed competition could be called “HBL PSL Sixes,” although no final decision has been made. Speaking on a PSL podcast, Naseer said several ideas were under consideration, including a short-format tournament featuring six-player teams, potentially modelled on the Hong Kong Sixes.
The proposal follows discussions at a PSL Governing Council meeting in September, where the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly suggested organising an additional tournament midway through the year under the existing broadcast rights agreement.
The initiative aims to create another revenue stream for PSL franchises and the league’s broadcast rights partner. Naseer said the PCB would assess the feasibility of making the tournament a regular feature of the cricket calendar. He added that the competition could provide fans with an opportunity to enjoy fast-paced cricket while taking the PSL experience to smaller cities that have not previously hosted league matches.
According to Naseer, fans in smaller cities are eager to watch their favourite teams play in person, making these locations potential venues for the proposed tournament. However, scheduling the event around the availability of overseas players remains a key challenge. The shorter format and smaller team sizes could make the tournament easier to organise than a full PSL season.
Launched in 2016, the PSL initially held matches in the United Arab Emirates before gradually shifting its fixtures to Pakistan. Since 2020, the tournament has been hosted entirely in the country, with Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi serving as venues.
Meanwhile, the PCB has announced that the 2027 PSL season will run from March 18 to May 2, marking the third consecutive year the competition is scheduled to overlap with the Indian Premier League (IPL). The PSL Governing Council is also expected to confirm the schedule, dates and venue for the player auction for the upcoming edition.
