PSL's Six-a-Side Plan Could Change the League Forever

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-23

The Pakistan Super League is thinking about something new. According to league chief executive Salman Naseer, the PCB is exploring a six-a-side tournament that would run alongside the main PSL event. The goal? Generate another solid revenue stream for the league. It's not a done deal yet, but the idea is on the table. And honestly, it's worth paying attention to. ### What Exactly Is Being Proposed? Naseer shared the idea on a PSL podcast episode released before the governing council meeting. He was upfront about it: the plans aren't finalized. But the concept is taking shape. The tournament would be called HBL PSL Sixes and would take place in the off-season. The format could look a lot like the Hong Kong Sixes, which is fast, punchy, and built for entertainment. Fewer players, shorter matches, and a whole lot of action packed into a tight window. > "Nothing is finalised, but there are some exciting plans, and one of them is a sixes tournament," Naseer said on the podcast. Naseer also serves as an advisor to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. He mentioned that the board wants to study the idea carefully and hopes it becomes a recurring fixture on the cricket calendar. Smart thinking, if you ask me. ### Why the PCB Wants This The board has been looking for ways to keep the PSL brand alive all year round. A six-a-side event fits that goal perfectly. Here's why it makes sense: - Matches finish quickly, so logistics stay simple - Fewer players are needed per squad - The format can travel to smaller cities where the PSL hasn't played yet - It opens up a new revenue channel shared between franchises and the media rights partner Since 2020, the PSL has used four venues in Pakistan: Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi. A smaller tournament could reach fans in cities that have never hosted a PSL match. That's a big deal for growing the game. The league actually started back in 2016 with matches in the UAE. Over the years, the PCB shifted games to Pakistan in stages. Now, a traveling sixes event could push that growth even further. ### The Scheduling Puzzle Here's where things get tricky. Finding the right window is the biggest challenge. Overseas players need to be available, and the global cricket calendar is already packed. International commitments and franchise leagues around the world leave very little breathing room. The PCB hasn't announced any dates for the sixes event yet. And the main tournament already has its own scheduling headaches. Earlier this month, the board confirmed that the 2027 PSL will clash with the IPL for the third year running. There have also been talks about moving the PSL to January. The governing council is expected to lock in next year's schedule and set the dates and venue for the player auction. Any decision on the sixes tournament will likely come after those matters are sorted. No timeline has been given. ### What We Still Don't Know A few things remain up in the air. The PSL hasn't confirmed the number of teams, the exact match format, or the venues. Naseer made it clear the plans are still at an early stage. But the direction is clear. The PCB wants more cricket, more revenue, and more reach. A six-a-side tournament could deliver all three, if the pieces fall into place. For now, fans will have to wait and see how this unfolds. But one thing's for sure: the PSL isn't sitting still.