ISLAMABAD: Peshawar’s iconic Arbab Niaz Stadium has firmly entered the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) deliberations as a potential venue for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), following the induction of Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, as the league’s fifth host city.
The T20 league, scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3, 2026, could be staged at six centres, subject to mandatory security and logistical clearances from all concerned authorities. Well-placed PCB sources told The News that serious consultations are under way regarding the feasibility of staging PSL XI matches in Peshawar, a move that would mark a significant homecoming for top-tier cricket in the provincial capital.
“After Faisalabad’s inclusion, Peshawar has emerged as a strong candidate to become the sixth PSL city,” a PCB insider revealed. “With two new teams likely to be added and possibly three new franchise owners, the overall number of matches will increase substantially. This expansion allows room for Arbab Niaz Stadium to host a handful of fixtures—provided the green signal comes from the relevant authorities.”
The source added that the PCB is keen to spread the league’s footprint further, taking high-quality cricket to more regions and rewarding passionate fan bases that have long awaited PSL action on their doorstep.
On the PSL XI format, several fresh proposals are currently under discussion. However, there are indications that the league may largely retain the traditional home-and-away structure. Some tweaking is being considered for the business end of the tournament, where instead of the conventional playoffs, three or four teams could compete in a mini round for a place in the final.
“These ideas are still on the table and nothing has been finalized yet,” the source clarified. Meanwhile, preparations for the league’s expansion are gaining momentum off the field as well. The auction for the new PSL franchises is set to take place in Islamabad on January 8, through an open bidding process. There is also a strong possibility that Multan Sultans may return to the auction pool, as negotiations with current owner Ali Tareen remain unresolved. Tareen’s ownership rights expire on December 31, after which the PSL management will be free to chart the franchise’s future course.
Ali Tareen has already announced his decision to step back from pursuing the matter in court, paving the way for an administrative resolution. If cleared, the inclusion of Peshawar would not only expand the PSL’s geographical reach but also inject fresh energy into the league, making PSL XI the biggest, boldest and most inclusive edition in the tournament’s history.
