PSL's Six-a-Side Gamble: A New Revenue Play or a Scheduling Headache?

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-23

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is considering adding a six-a-side tournament to its calendar, a move that could bring in fresh revenue and expand the league's reach. But is it as simple as it sounds? Let's break it down. ### What's the Big Idea? Salman Naseer, CEO of the PSL, recently revealed that the league is exploring a six-a-side competition, possibly modeled after the Hong Kong Sixes. The tournament would be called HBL PSL Sixes and would take place during the off-season. "Nothing is finalised, but there are some exciting plans, and one of them is a sixes tournament," Naseer said on a PSL podcast. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hopes this shorter format will generate additional revenue and keep the PSL brand active year-round. ### Why Six-a-Side? The PCB believes a six-a-side event can achieve several goals: - **Generate new revenue:** The additional income would be shared among franchises and the media rights partner. - **Expand the brand:** Matches are quick and require fewer players, making logistics easier. This could allow the PSL to visit smaller cities and stadiums where it hasn't played before. - **Year-round presence:** The PCB wants to keep fans engaged beyond the main PSL season. Since 2020, the PSL has been played entirely in Pakistan, using four venues: Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi. A traveling sixes tournament could bring the league to new audiences. ### The Scheduling Puzzle Finding a window for the tournament is the biggest challenge. Overseas players need to be available, and the international cricket calendar is already packed. The PCB hasn't announced any dates yet, and the league is already dealing with its own scheduling issues. For instance, the 2027 PSL will clash with the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the third consecutive year. There have also been talks about moving the PSL to January to avoid the clash. The governing council is expected to confirm next year's schedule and the player auction details soon. Any decision on the sixes tournament will likely follow after those matters are settled. ### What's Next? The PSL has not confirmed the number of teams, the match format, or the venues for the proposed competition. Naseer emphasized that plans are at an early stage. "We'll explore the options before announcing further details," he said. For now, fans can only speculate about what a PSL sixes tournament might look like. But one thing is clear: the PCB is serious about finding new ways to grow the league. Whether this six-a-side experiment becomes a regular feature remains to be seen. What do you think? Would you watch a PSL sixes tournament? Let us know in the comments!