The HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) has officially entered a new era, with Hyderabad and Sialkot confirmed as the league’s seventh and eighth franchises following a successful teams auction concluded by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in Islamabad on Friday.
The high-profile auction, held at the Jinnah Convention Centre, attracted nine bidders, underlining the growing commercial strength, investor confidence, and global appeal of the PSL. The expansion marks a major milestone in the league’s evolution and significantly strengthens its national footprint ahead of PSL 11.
In the first round, the base price for the seventh team was set at PKR 110 crore. After intense bidding, US-based FKS Group, led by Mr Fawad Sarwar, secured the franchise for PKR 17.5 billion, selecting Hyderabad from the available city options.
The second round saw even fiercer competition, with the base price for the eighth team set at PKR 170 crore and multiple strategic timeouts called during the bidding process. OZ Group, led by Mr Hamza Majeed, emerged victorious with a bid of PKR 18.5 billion, bringing Sialkot into the PSL fold.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi hailed the expansion as a defining moment for Pakistan cricket.
“The addition of Hyderabad and Sialkot is a landmark achievement for the Pakistan Super League. We warmly welcome the new franchise owners and look forward to their role in enhancing competition and elevating the league’s global stature,” he said.
PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer highlighted the significance of the competitive auction process.
“The strong bidding reflects the immense trust investors place in the PSL brand. Hyderabad and Sialkot bring rich sporting heritage and passionate fan bases, and we are excited to work closely with the new owners to deliver an even more compelling league experience,” he noted.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Hyderabad franchise owner Fawad Sarwar said the group was committed to building a world-class outfit.
“This is an exciting new chapter for us. We aim to bring professional management, innovation, and excellence of execution while representing Hyderabad with pride and contributing to the global growth of Pakistan cricket,” he said.
Accordingly, Sialkot franchise owner Hamza Majeed described the opportunity as both an honour and a responsibility.
“Sialkot has played a historic role in Pakistan’s sporting identity. This team is for the people of Sialkot, and their passion and pride will be our greatest strength as we embark on our PSL journey,” he stated.
With Hyderabad and Sialkot joining the competition, the PSL now expands to eight teams, ushering in a phase of increased competitiveness, broader regional representation, and new commercial opportunities. The PCB and PSL management confirmed they will work closely with the new franchises to ensure a smooth integration ahead of PSL 11 and future seasons, as the league continues its upward trajectory on the global T20 stage.
