New format under consideration for HBL PSL11

The Pakistan Super League is set for a significant shake-up in its 11th edition, with reports suggesting that PSL 11 will be played under a revamped format to accommodate the league’s expansion to eight teams.

Scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3, 2026, the upcoming season will feature 44 matches spread across a 39-day window. With two additional franchises joining the competition, the Pakistan Cricket Board has opted to move away from the traditional double round-robin league system in order to maintain a compact schedule without overburdening players.

According to details emerging from planning discussions, PSL 11 will be contested in two distinct phases. The opening phase will follow a single-league format, where all eight teams face each other once. This initial round will ensure a level playing field, with each side tested against every opponent before the competition progresses to its next stage.

Following the completion of the league phase, the tournament will shift into a Super Four-style structure. The eight teams will be divided into two groups of four based on their standings in the first phase. In this round, each team will play three matches within its group, producing a total of 12 fixtures that will play a decisive role in shaping the final table ahead of the playoffs.

At the conclusion of the Super Four phase, the top two teams on the combined standings will qualify for the playoffs. As per the PSL’s established tradition, the knockout stage will consist of four matches, including the grand final, which will determine the champions of PSL 11.

Despite the expanded field and revised format, the PCB is keen to ensure competitive balance. Each franchise will still be guaranteed a minimum of 10 matches, matching the workload of teams in previous seasons and safeguarding commercial and sporting equity.

The matches will be staged across Pakistan’s major cricketing centres, including Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan. In a notable development, Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad is also set to host PSL matches for the first time, marking the league’s continued expansion and commitment to taking top-tier cricket to new venues.