ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s flagship cricket series PSL is on the brink of its most dramatic transformation since its launch a decade back, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) prepares to auction two brand-new franchises in Islamabad on January 8, ending an eight-year freeze on expansion and igniting an intense bidding war among 10 local and international heavyweights.
The auction marks a historic milestone for the PSL, which has now completed 10 years since its inaugural season. The league began with five teams, played entirely in the UAE, and last expanded in 2018 with the sale of Multan Sultans. From 2026 onward, the PSL will officially grow from six teams to eight, a move PCB had long planned but delayed due to contractual and financial constraints tied to existing media and commercial agreements.
Cricket Board scrapped sealed-bid system and introduced a live open auction, a move widely expected to push franchise prices to record-breaking levels and reshape the financial landscape of Pakistan’s premier cricket league. According to official documents, the auction will kick off with the announcement of a reserve price, after which bidding will unfold live and in real time, allowing rivals to watch each other raise the stakes moment by moment. The new franchises will come with a Right of First Refusal after the initial term, ensuring long-term stability and investment security.
Business Giants looking to own PSL Team
The list of bidders reads like a cross-section of Pakistan’s and the world’s most influential industries — telecom, fintech, energy, real estate, technology, and global sports investments.
Jazz
Pakistan’s largest digital telecom company is making its second attempt at owning a PSL team. Previously bidding as Mobilink in 2015, Jazz later cemented its cricket ties through a three-year title sponsorship with Lahore Qalandars.
Inverex
A key player in solar energy and clean mobility, Inverex is already a familiar name in PSL through its popular “Hamare Heroes” segment celebrating national achievers.
VGO Tel
The homegrown mobile technology brand continues its direct investment in Pakistan cricket through PSL sponsorships.
Walee Technologies
A marketing-tech and fintech firm with deep digital ambitions, Walee previously acquired PSL digital live-streaming rights for PKR 1.875 billion over two years.
Ali Tareen
After walking away from Multan Sultans, Ali Tareen is eyeing a dramatic return through Dahrki Sugar Mills. His exit from Multan came after refusing to pay the newly revised annual fee of PKR 1.375 billion, despite having paid PKR 7.7 billion over seven years.
Prism Estates & Builders
Entering via a consortium that includes crypto exchange XchangeOn, a sponsor in the previous PSL season.
OZI Group
An Australia-based group stepping into cricket ownership for the first time. The group’s leadership relocated to Pakistan two years ago, with “OZI” drawn from Australian slang.
i2c
A global fintech powerhouse specializing in digital banking, payments, and card solutions — one of the most prominent foreign bidders.
Kingsmen Group
A North America–based investment group that owns multiple cricket properties, including DFW Kingsmen. Sources say the group is keen on Hyderabad as a franchise city.
M-Next Incorporated
A technology and innovation firm from North America completing the list of serious contenders.
Participation was far from easy. All bidders underwent rigorous due diligence, including scrutiny of: financial strength, corporate governance, Transparency, Management capacity, and Long-term sustainability.
Cricket Board also guaranteed each new franchise minimum earnings of PKR 850 million per season for the next five seasons, a key incentive for investors. However, no ownership transfer or sale is allowed during the first three years, and failure to sign the franchise agreement within three days will result in forfeiture of the security deposit.
