PCB to hold London roadshow as it aims to expand Pakistan Super League

A paramilitary soldier patrols next to cutouts of cricket players displaying outside the National Stadium for the upcoming country's premier domestic Twenty20 tournament 'Pakistan Super League' in Karachi, Pakistan, on January 25, 2022. (AP/File)
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Updated 02 December 2025
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PCB to hold London roadshow as it aims to expand Pakistan Super League

  • The PSL is Pakistan’s premier T20 cricket league, featuring city-based franchises, global players
  • The event will take place at the Lord’s Cricket Ground to present PSL vision to global investors

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will stage a roadshow at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London to present the Pakistan Super League (PSL) vision and commercial model to global investors as it prepares to add two new teams to Twenty-20 league, the board said on Tuesday.

The PSL is Pakistan’s premier T20 cricket tournament, featuring city-based franchises and attracting top international players since its launch in 2016.

Commercial partners and fans are expected to attend the Lord’s event as preparations to sell two new PSL teams have “accelerated,” with British investors showing “strong interest,” according to the PCB.

“Holding the roadshow at Lord’s is proof of Pakistan cricket’s global recognition,” PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said in a statement. “The London roadshow will further enhance HBL PSL’s international appeal.”

Thirty PSL “super fans” will also be invited to the event, according to the PCB. Details on ticket sales will be announced soon.

PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer said the league enjoys a global following and strong commercial value, adding that the addition of two new teams “will create major opportunities for investors.”

The next PSL season is scheduled to begin in April, featuring two new franchises that will be selected from Hyderabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gilgit, Muzaffarabad and Sialkot. The auction for the new teams will take place on Jan. 6.

The PSL comprising Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators grew to six teams in 2018 after Multan Sultans joined the league.

Last month, the PCB also announced new awards for PSL teams. The champions will receive $500,000, runners-up $300,000 and the franchise making the greatest contribution to cricket development will be awarded $200,000.


Pakistan condemns Israel’s plan to open Rafah crossing only for fleeing Gazans

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Pakistan condemns Israel’s plan to open Rafah crossing only for fleeing Gazans

  • Israel announced this week it would reopen Rafah crossing only for Palestinians fleeing Gaza to Egypt
  • Deputy PM Dar speaks to Saudi foreign minister, labels move “clear violation” of the Gaza peace plan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday condemned Israel’s plan to partially reopen the Rafah crossing only for fleeing residents of Gaza, describing it as a “clear violation” of the region’s peace plan. 

US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza calls for Israeli authorities to let in humanitarian aid into the territory and open the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt from both sides. 

Israel, however, has continued to restrict the entry of aid, while a military unit called Israel’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said this Wednesday the crossing will open in the coming days “exclusively for the exit of residents from the Gaza Strip to Egypt.”

Dar, who is also Pakistan’s foreign minister, held a telephonic conversation with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan to discuss regional developments, particularly Gaza, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. 

“During the telephonic conversation, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister strongly condemned Israel’s unilateral plan to restrict the Rafah crossing for the exit only of Gaza residents, a clear violation of the peace plan and a move that undermines humanitarian access,” the state media said. 

The statement said both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring “unfettered aid to Gaza” and advancing coordinated efforts toward lasting peace.

Despite Israel’s statement, Egypt has denied it has struck any deal with Tel Aviv on the reopening of the crossing and has said it will open only if movement takes place both ways.

COGAT’s statement this week has raised concerns that the partial reopening of the crossing will lead to mass displacement of Palestinians.