There is no denying that the Pakistan Super League is a rising brand. There has been intense pressure from PSL supporters around the world to expand the tournament due to its increasing popularity. Many big players are going to miss this season as there is a huge difference between the demand and supply of players. Many experts are suggesting team management add the 7th new team in PSL.
It was a time when there were few stars in the PSL, and now we can see some big names in the PSL, and their number is growing each year. But how long will it take to add the seventh Team in PSL? This is a big question, and now we will find out the reasons behind it.
How many teams were there in PSL 1?
PSL, a revolutionary idea from Pakistan Cricket Board, has five teams in its debut season.
The league played its first two seasons (2016,17) with 05 teams until PCB realized the league’s growing popularity and introduced the sixth PSL franchise, Multan Sultans. This concept was very well welcomed by all fans, and leagues got more competitive as more international players began to join this league. Players from many countries took part, with the majority coming from England, where participants like Alex Hales, Jason Roy, and Liam Livingstone excelled at the international level.
Will there be a 7th team in PSL 2023?
According to Ramiz Raja, the PSL will have a new franchise following the PSL 10 season. It means that there is still plenty of time for new PSL teams to form. This is due to PSL regulations that demand the establishment of a new franchise after a set number of times. Another major reason for this is the impact of Covid-19, which has harmed the financial advantage of the existing franchise, and they only want another franchise once they are profitable.
PCB accepted the existing franchise’s demands and convinced them that no new teams would be added to the PSL before PSL 10.
Therefore, all the fans of PSL would have to wait for the PSL 10 (2025) season for new teams in PSL. PSL 2023 will have 06 teams that were in PSL 2022.
Read More: Peshawar Zalmi Squad for PSL 2023
Which Team Could be the 7th PSL Team in 2023?
There will be intense competition amongst the various regions of the country. Some of these are as follows:
Sialkot
Since Sialkot Stallions, a side from Sialkot had long held the title of champions of Pakistan’s national T20 event, the majority of fans have advocated that Sialkot put on a team. Stars like Shoaib Malik, Rana Naveed, and Imran Nazir, who were members of the Sialkot Stallions, came out from Sialkot, which has served as Pakistan’s center for cricket. In fact, Shoaib Malik, on several occasions, urged PCB to include a team from Sialkot.
Azad Kashmir
The next Team could also be from Azad Kashmir. Do you know why? Because of the increased demand for the Kashmir Premier League, a local league, it has established itself as another national league after the PSL. Kashmire Premier League has more demand than the National t20 cup, which is amazing for Pakistan Cricket. This is the main reason that many PSL supporters now demand a team from the Kashmir region because it is the only part of Pakistan that doesn’t have any PSL team.
Faisalabad
Faisalabad is the third most desired city to get its PSL franchise. Most of you would have heard about Faisalabad Wolves, the second-best Team on the national domestic t20 level after Sialkot Stallions. This is the reason that fans demand Faisalabad team, which has given players likes of Misbah-ul-Haq to Pakistan Cricket. Misbah has even spoken out in favor of having a PSL team from Faisalabad.
Hyderabad
Hyderabad could be another focused city for another team of PSL from Sindh. After Karachi, Hyderabad is the city in Sindh that has produced the most cricketers for the country and might be the seventh Team in the PSL.
Hyderabad can be a favorite because Sindh is the second-largest province in Pakistan. Two teams from Punjab are already playing from Punjab. So the people from Sindh are demanding that the new PSL franchise should be from Sindh.
Which Region Will be Selected for the New PSL Team?
Because the PSL is a revenue-based league, the bid formula from the franchise is used. The ultimate selection will be made based on the country’s highest bidding group. But again, fans should raise their voice because, in the end, their voice matters a lot, as we have seen in the case of Multan Sultans.
