PSL's Six-a-Side Cricket Plan: A Game-Changer or Just Talk?

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-23

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is considering adding a six-a-side tournament to its calendar, according to league CEO Salman Naseer. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hopes this new competition will create an additional revenue stream and keep the PSL brand active year-round. ### What the PSL Chief Executive Said Naseer revealed the idea during a PSL podcast episode released before the governing council meeting. He described the plans as unfinalized but compared the format to the Hong Kong Sixes. The tournament would be called HBL PSL Sixes and take place in the off-season. > "Nothing is finalised, but there are some exciting plans, and one of them is a sixes tournament," Naseer said on the podcast. Naseer, who also advises PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, said the board will study the prospect of launching the event and hopes it becomes a recurring feature. He added that a smaller tournament could travel to stadiums and cities where the PSL has not yet played. ### PCB Seeks Year-Round Presence for PSL Brand The proposal follows a September report from Cricinfo, which said the PCB had raised the option of a mid-year tournament after the last governing council meeting. The board suggested adding it within the existing rights agreement, with franchises and the media rights partner sharing the additional revenue. The PCB has been looking at several ways to keep the PSL brand active throughout the year. Officials believe a six-a-side event can support that aim. Matches in this format finish quickly and involve fewer players, so the logistical demands remain low. The board also expects such a competition to help take the league into smaller Pakistani cities. Since the league moved fully to Pakistan in 2020, the PSL has used four venues: Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi. The league began in 2016 with matches in the UAE, and the PCB shifted games to Pakistan in stages over the following years. ### Foreign Player Availability Remains the Main Challenge Finding a suitable window presents the biggest obstacle. Overseas players must be free to join their PSL teams, and international and franchise schedules around the world leave limited gaps. The PCB has not announced any dates for the sixes event. The league already faces scheduling pressure in its main tournament. The PCB announced earlier this month that the 2027 PSL will clash with the IPL for the third consecutive year. Talks between the board and team owners on moving the PSL to January have also taken place. The governing council is expected to confirm the schedule for next year's tournament and set dates and a venue for the player auction. Any decision on the sixes tournament may follow once those matters are settled, though the board has not given a timeline. The PSL has not confirmed the number of teams, the match format, or the venues for the proposed competition. Naseer said the plans remain at an early stage, and the PCB will explore the options before announcing further details. For more cricket news and updates, visit JeetWin Blog!