Pakistan Super League

The Pakistan Super League is Pakistan's franchise T20 competition, played mostly in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan. Live scores appear here during the season.

Traditionally February to March; the 2025 season ran from April to May and the 2026 season from late March to early May.

Teams

  • Hyderabad Kingsmen (Hyderabad)
  • Islamabad United (Islamabad)
  • Karachi Kings (National Stadium, Karachi)
  • Lahore Qalandars (Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore)
  • Multan Sultans (Multan Cricket Stadium)
  • Peshawar Zalmi (Peshawar)
  • Quetta Gladiators (Quetta)
  • Rawalpindiz (Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium)

How the PSL works

Eight franchises took part in 2026, split into two groups of four: each side played the teams in its own group twice and those in the other group once, ten matches apiece and 40 in all. From 2018 to 2025 six franchises played a double round-robin of 30 matches. The top four reach the playoffs, which use the same structure as the IPL under different names: a Qualifier between first and second, Eliminator 1 between third and fourth, and Eliminator 2 between the Qualifier loser and the Eliminator 1 winner, before the final. Franchises represent cities, but matches are staged at a few central venues rather than home and away, and the whole 2026 season was played in Karachi and Lahore. Until 2025 squads were assembled through a draft in which players were grouped into categories (Platinum, Diamond, Gold and so on); from 2026 the league switched to a player auction.

History

The league began in 2016 with five teams. The first season was played entirely in the United Arab Emirates, and the 2017 final in Lahore began the return of matches to Pakistan. Multan Sultans joined as the sixth franchise in 2018, and the 2020 season was the first held entirely on home soil. The league expanded to eight teams in 2026: Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindiz played for the first time, and the Multan Sultans name passed to a new franchise after the original one was sold and moved to Rawalpindi. Islamabad United won the inaugural title and, with Lahore Qalandars, have been the competition's most successful sides, with three titles each to 2026; Peshawar Zalmi won the 2026 final.

Frequently asked questions

How many teams are in the PSL?

Eight since the 2026 season: Hyderabad Kingsmen, Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators and Rawalpindiz. The league had five teams in 2016 and 2017 and six from 2018 to 2025.

How do PSL teams sign players?

Through a player auction since 2026, with a limit on how many players each franchise may retain beforehand and rules on how many overseas players a squad may hold. From 2016 to 2025 the PSL used a draft instead, in which players were placed in categories and franchises picked in turn.

Facts on this page were last checked on 24 October 2026. If something is out of date, tell us.