Pakistan Super League

What Pakistan Super League does

Pakistan Super League (PSL), officially branded as HBL Pakistan Super League, is a professional Twenty20 cricket franchise league operated by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), a government state entity headquartered at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan. Founded in 2015-2016 with five teams, the league has grown to eight franchises (Hyderabad Kingsmen, Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Rawalpindiz) competing across 44 matches per season. PSL serves Pakistan cricket fans domestically and the Pakistani diaspora across 15+ international markets, while providing a commercial platform for sponsors, broadcasters, and franchise investors.

The league's core product is the annual cricket tournament, monetized through five primary revenue streams: broadcasting rights (PKR 2.58 billion in Season 8), title sponsorship (HBL at PKR 340 crore/season), franchise operations under a 5-95 profit-sharing model, ticket sales, and merchandise. Production technology includes 30+ broadcast cameras, Spidercam with PARVAZ feature, Hawk-Eye DRS with Off-bat visualization, biomechanics capture, live player tracking, AR/VR graphics, and 3D stadium animation. Distribution spans PTV, A Sports, Geo Super, Ten Sports domestically, with Willow TV (USA/Canada), ARY Digital (UK), ESPN (Australia/New Zealand), and Tapmad internationally.

Season 11 (March-May 2026) introduced structural reforms including franchise expansion to eight teams, a salary cap increase to USD 1.6 million per team, the first player auction system in league history, and a new media rights deal with Walee Technologies valued at PKR 2,600 crore (USD 26 million) for 2026-2029. The league recorded Season 8 revenue of PKR 5.62 billion and is valued at approximately USD 156 million as of 2026. PSL faces execution risk evidenced by Season 11 matches beginning behind closed doors due to regional security and fuel crisis, reducing venue count from six to two (Lahore and Karachi).

Name

Pakistan Super League

Legal name

HBL Pakistan Super League

Website

https://psl-t20.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is Pakistan's premier T20 franchise cricket league operated by the Pakistan Cricket Board, featuring eight teams competing across 44 matches per season. It serves domestic Pakistani fans and international diaspora across 15+ countries through broadcast, streaming, and stadium distribution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Cricket League

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121), Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Cricket Leagues (MPAKAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports & Event Media Rights Licensing (MPADALAE), Sports Media Relations & Rights Support Services (Press Ops, Rights Packaging Support) (MPAKAKAN)

Keywords

• Professional cricket league
• T20 cricket tournament
• Sports broadcasting rights
• Cricket franchise operations
• Sports event management

Headquarters

HQ city

Lahore

HQ country

Pakistan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Broadcasting Rights: Media rights sold to domestic and international broadcasters; PSL 8 generated PKR 2.58 billion from broadcasting rights; Record-breaking media rights deal worth PKR 2,600 crore (USD 26 million) for 2026-2029 cycle with Walee Technologies
2. Title Sponsorship: HBL has been title sponsor since 2016; HBL extended title sponsorship through 2027 valued at PKR 340 crore (USD 22.2 million)
3. Ticket Sales: Match tickets sold to fans attending matches; Early season tickets refunded automatically; PSL 11 matches began behind closed doors due to security/fuel crisis
4. Merchandise and Merchandising: Sale of league merchandise including team jerseys, memorabilia, and official products
5. Franchise Operations: PCB operates 5-95 profit-sharing model with franchises; Franchise owners invest in teams, bid for players, and generate revenue through local operations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is Pakistan's premier professional Twenty20 cricket franchise league featuring eight teams competing across 44 matches per season. The league generates revenue through broadcasting rights sold to domestic and international media partners, title sponsorship from HBL, ticket sales for stadium matches, and sale of league merchandise. It operates on a franchise model with private team owners and is governed by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Product overview

The HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) is Pakistan's premier T20 cricket franchise league operating as a single unified product with multiple interconnected service offerings. The core product is the annual cricket tournament featuring eight franchise teams competing across 44 matches. Supporting services include broadcasting rights distribution through multiple global and regional partners (PTV, A Sports, Geo Super, Ten Sports, Willow TV, Tapmad), a ticket sales and refund system integrated with Pakistani payment platforms (JazzCash, Easypaisa), promotional campaigns like the VGO TEL bike contest, and enhanced broadcast production services featuring Hawk-Eye DRS technology and augmented reality graphics. The league's 11th season launched in March 2026 with expanded eight-team format and new media rights partnership with Walee Technologies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HBL Pakistan Super League Tournament Pakistan's premier T20 cricket franchise league featuring eight teams (Hyderabad Kingsmen, Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Rawalpindiz) competing across 44 matches per season. Operates as an annual cricket tournament with broadcasting rights, franchise ownership, and player talent development.
• PSL Broadcasting Rights Television and digital streaming rights for PSL matches distributed globally through multiple broadcast partners including PTV, A Sports, Geo Super, Ten Sports, Willow TV, Tapmad, Tamasha, and Myco. PSL 8 generated PKR 2.58 billion from broadcasting rights.
• PSL Ticket Sales Service Match tickets sold to fans attending PSL matches with refund capabilities. Online ticket purchasing platform with payments processed via debit cards, credit cards, JazzCash, and Easypaisa.
• PSL Merchandise Sales Sale of league merchandise including team jerseys, memorabilia, and official PSL-branded products to fans.
• PSL Franchise Operations Franchise ownership opportunities for investors and business entities to own and operate PSL team franchises under a 5-95 profit-sharing model with PCB. Franchise owners invest in teams, bid for players, and generate revenue through local operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Record revenue over PKR 5.62 billion generated in PSL Season 8 (2023)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• PepsiCocoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 March 2026Collaborated with PSL to produce the official HBL PSL 11 anthem 'Khelenge Beat Pe'. PepsiCo has been a consistent partner providing the official beverage for multiple PSL seasons and co-develops marketing content with the league.
• Pakistan Television (PTV)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 March 2026Official domestic broadcast partner in Pakistan alongside A Sports, Geo Super, and Ten Sports. PTV is the national television network providing wide reach across Pakistan.
• Willow TVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 March 2026Official broadcast partner for PSL in United States of America and Canada, serving the substantial South Asian diaspora market with live cricket coverage.
• ARY DigitalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 March 2026Broadcast and live-stream PSL in the United Kingdom on Sky 748 and Glass 724 channels, serving UK Pakistani community.
• ESPNcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 March 2026First-time broadcast partner for PSL in Australia and New Zealand, marking expansion into Australian market for the league.
• TapmadcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 March 2026Digital streaming partner operating across Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, MENA region, and rest of world. Provides live streaming and on-demand coverage of PSL matches.
• Walee TechnologiesflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 March 2026Secured consolidated global and domestic media rights for PSL for 2026-2029 cycle. Granting exclusive television broadcasting and digital live-streaming rights within Pakistan along with international distribution rights excluding India. This is described as the most significant media rights deal in the league's history, worth PKR 2,600 crore (USD 26 million).
• HBL (Habib Bank Limited)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Title sponsor of the Pakistan Super League since 2016. HBL has extended its title sponsorship through 2027, making it one of the longest-standing commercial partnerships in Pakistan cricket. The deal is valued at approximately PKR 340 crore (USD 22.2 million) per season, representing the most significant commercial relationship for the league.
• VGO TELminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Promotional partner for HBL PSL 11 running a contest where fans can win motorbikes by capturing branded bikes during live broadcasts. Contest runs through WhatsApp submission system.
• Inverex Power SolutionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 December 2025Existing PSL sponsor confirmed bidding for one of the two new franchise slots as the league expanded from 6 to 8 teams for the 2026 season.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lanka Premier League (LPL): LPL is Sri Lanka's flagship T20 franchise league featuring five city-based franchises and international player participation. It directly competes with PSL for South Asian broadcast audiences and a similar tier of international T20 talent.
• Big Bash League (BBL): Australia's premier T20 franchise league, operated by Cricket Australia, featuring city-based franchises and strong broadcast production quality. BBL is a peer in scale, broadcast technology deployment, and franchise-based operating model, though with a more mature private governance structure.
• Caribbean Premier League (CPL): CPL is a T20 franchise league featuring Caribbean nation franchises with a player draft system and international broadcast reach. It is comparable to PSL in franchise economics, broadcast monetization model, and diaspora-driven viewership.
• SA20: SA20 is South Africa's premier T20 franchise league, launched in 2023 with strong IPL team-owner investment and a player auction system. It is comparable to PSL as a newer-generation T20 franchise league pursuing similar broadcast and sponsor monetization strategies.
• Bangladesh Premier League (BPL): BPL is Bangladesh's flagship T20 franchise league featuring city-based franchises and an auction-based player acquisition model. It is PSL's closest geographic peer in South Asia, competing for similar broadcast footprints and associate-nation talent.
• The Hundred: The Hundred is the England and Wales Cricket Board's 100-ball franchise competition featuring city-based teams and a salary-cap draft system. Comparable to PSL as a recently launched franchise cricket product with strong broadcast production and English-language market positioning.
• International League T10 (ILT20): ILT20 is a UAE-based T10 franchise cricket league with international owners and a player auction system. Comparable to PSL as a Gulf-region cricket league targeting South Asian diaspora viewership and competing for similar sponsor and broadcast partners.
• Indian Premier League (IPL): The Indian Premier League is the world's largest and most lucrative T20 franchise cricket league, operating a franchise model with player auctions and broadcast-driven revenue. It is PSL's most direct competitor for talent, broadcast audiences, and sponsor dollars across South Asia.

Emerging players

• Major League Cricket (MLC): MLC is the United States' emerging T20 franchise cricket league, backed by IPL team owners and featuring city-based franchises. It is comparable to PSL as a newer franchise cricket market, though at an earlier growth stage.

Regional players

• Afghanistan Premier League (APL): APL is Afghanistan's flagship T20 franchise league, also operated by a national cricket board. Comparable to PSL as a regional T20 franchise product targeting the Central/South Asian market with similar franchise economics, though operating at a smaller scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Thepslt20
• YouTubeyoutube.com/pakistansuperleagueofficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/thePSL
• Instagraminstagram.com/thepsl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pakistan Super League