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ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 playoffs begin on Tuesday, with four teams, Peshawar Zalmi, Islamabad United, Multan Sultans and Hyderabad Kingsmen, battling for the title, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved public attendance for all three playoff matches with a call for fans to use public transport. League leaders Peshawar Zalmi will face Islamabad United in the qualifier tonight, with the winner advancing directly to the final. Multan Sultans will take on Hyderabad Kingsmen in the eliminator on Wednesday, where the losing side will be knocked out of the tournament. The final will be played on Friday, with the qualifier winner facing the winner of the second playoff match for the PSL 2026 trophy. Zalmi enter the playoffs as favorites after dominating the league stage and finishing at the top of the table. Their batting has been driven by the prolific partnership of Kusal Mendis and Babar Azam, the tournament&rsquo;s two highest run-scorers, while left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem leads the bowling charts with 19 wickets.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 672px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2049014128971502079&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=fedd71847d63840787bf541c7b42713e0730c61d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2049014128971502079"></iframe></div></div>However, Zalmi&rsquo;s playoff history raises concerns. Despite regularly reaching the knockout stage, they have not made a final since 2019 and hold one of the weakest playoff records among major PSL sides. Islamabad United, by contrast, brings a strong playoff pedigree, with a tournament-record 10 playoff wins and three PSL titles.&nbsp; Their recent form has been boosted by the return of captain Shadab Khan to top bowling form, while contributions from Sameer Minhas and Mark Chapman have helped them secure two straight wins heading into the qualifier. United&rsquo;s main concern remains batting consistency, with no batter dominating the scoring charts, but their experience in pressure matches makes them one of the strongest contenders. Multan Sultans head into the eliminator with a balanced side built around Sahibzada Farhan and Steven Smith, both among the top five run-scorers this season. Josh Philippe and Shan Masood have also added stability, while captain Ashton Turner has provided calm leadership. But two defeats in their final league matches pushed Multan into the eliminator, and they now face an in-form Hyderabad Kingsmen side carrying strong momentum. Hyderabad Kingsmen have emerged as the surprise package of the tournament after a poor start to the campaign. Under Marnus Labuschagne&rsquo;s leadership, the side recovered strongly with five wins in their last six matches. The arrival of Glenn Maxwell, improved form from Usman Khan, and the pace threat of Hunain Shah have transformed their campaign, although concerns remain over spin depth and inconsistent top-order form. Spectators welcomedMeanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved public attendance for all three playoff matches after earlier allowing spectators only for the final. Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the prime minister had cleared fan attendance but urged supporters to use public transport or minimize fuel consumption in line with ongoing national austerity measures. The PCB had initially planned to hold the playoffs behind closed doors due to fuel-saving policies linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict and its economic impact, but the decision was later revised to allow fans back into stadiums. With strong contenders, playoff history, and fan support returning to the stands, PSL 2026 now heads into its most decisive week.

Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan poses with Multan Sultans captain Ashton Turner after the toss ahead of their PSL 2026 league-stage match in Lahore on Sunday, April 26, 2026. (Photo: PSL/File)

Cricket

PSL playoffs set for high-stakes battle as PM allows fans into all matches

ISLAMABAD: Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa has explained why he chose to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) instead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season.&nbsp;Speaking on the ARY podcast, Zampa said the money he would earn in the IPL no longer justifies the time the tournament demands.&nbsp;The 34-year-old went unsold in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/phones-stolen-at-ipl-match-leave-spectators-disappointed" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">IPL 2026</a>&nbsp;mini auction after being released by Sunrisers Hyderabad. He soon joined Karachi Kings in the PSL for $170,000, making an immediate impact by helping his team secure a win against Lahore Qalandars.&nbsp;&ldquo;To be brutally honest, for someone with my skill set, the money just isn&rsquo;t there compared to what&rsquo;s available for other skill sets. Considering the amount of time the IPL requires, it didn&rsquo;t seem reasonable to keep playing,&rdquo; Zampa said.&nbsp;He also revealed he had planned to take a break from league cricket before the PSL offer came about a month ago. &ldquo;It all happened pretty quickly, but I&rsquo;m enjoying it,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Zampa praised Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi for his performance in their recent match. &ldquo;One player I really enjoy watching is Shaheen Afridi. He bowled really well and took four wickets. It always feels like something exciting is happening whenever he&rsquo;s bowling,&rdquo; Zampa said.&nbsp;So far, Zampa has played two matches for Karachi Kings, taking three wickets. He was named Player of the Match for his figures of 2 for 11 against Lahore Qalandars in a low-scoring game.&nbsp;Zampa&rsquo;s IPL career included stints with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajasthan Royals, and Rising Pune Supergiant, but he never secured a regular place. Across six IPL seasons, he earned $95,000 in total, far less than players like Cameron Green, who secured a $320,000 deal.&nbsp;Now, Zampa&rsquo;s move to the PSL appears rewarding both on the field and off, giving him consistent playing time and satisfaction.

Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa speaks after a match-winning performance in the PSL 11 match against Lahore Qalandars on Monday, March 30, 2026. 

Zampa says the money he would earn in the IPL no longer justifies the time the tournament demands.

Australian leggie Adam Zampa explains why he chose PSL over IPL

KARACHI: Pakistan&#39;s Twenty20 league will be held on schedule from March 26 but without crowds and only at two venues to save resources due to the Gulf crisis, the country&#39;s cricket chief announced Sunday.&nbsp;Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the decisions on the Pakistan Super League (PSL) were taken after consultation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.&nbsp;&quot;The prime minister has requested restricted movements of people because of the fuel crisis so we have decided that the PSL would continue as per the original schedule but without crowds,&quot; Naqvi told a press conference in Lahore.&nbsp;To stop fans travelling, the eight-team league has also been reduced to two venues, and not the original six, meaning Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Multan and Peshawar miss out.&nbsp;&quot;All PSL matches will now take place in Lahore and Karachi and we hope the league could be held with crowds but that would be contingent on the crisis in Iran ending,&quot; said Naqvi, who is also Pakistan&#39;s interior minister.&nbsp;&quot;I feel for the Peshawar crowds who were due to watch a match for the first time,&quot; said Naqvi.&nbsp;Naqvi said the PCB would compensate the franchise owners for the loss of revenue because of no crowds. The majority of gate money goes to the franchises.&nbsp;The 11th edition of PSL will run until May 3.

Pakistan will hold the Pakistan Super League from March 26 as planned, but without crowds and only in Lahore and Karachi, due to a fuel crisis linked to Gulf tensions. Other cities were dropped, and teams will be compensated.

Pakistan's T20 cricket league cuts venues, crowds due to Gulf crisis

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Super League&rsquo;s governing council has approved a major structural overhaul for the league&rsquo;s 11th season, replacing the long-standing player draft with a full-scale player auction model. This move marks the most significant reform in the PSL&rsquo;s history, signalling&nbsp;a decisive shift in its commercial and competitive direction. The Pakistan Cricket Board said the transition to an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/psl-auction-hyderabad-franchise-sells-for-a-record-61-million" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">auction system</a>, to be implemented from HBL PSL 11, is aimed at enhancing transparency, strengthening competitive balance and significantly expanding earning opportunities for players, as the league enters its second decade. Under the new framework, franchises will be allowed to retain only four players, with a maximum of one retention per category &mdash; a sharp reduction from the previous system that allowed up to eight retentions, alongside mentors, brand ambassadors and a Right to Match (RTM) option. All such provisions have now been scrapped. The overhaul fundamentally reshapes squad-building dynamics, forcing franchises to re-enter the market and bid competitively for top talent, rather than relying on long-term protections built into the draft system. Newly inducted teams will be permitted to pre-select and retain four players from the available pool before the auction, giving them a base to build competitive squads. In addition, each franchise will be allowed one direct signing of a foreign player who did not feature in PSL 10, opening the door for fresh international names and strategic recruitment. Franchises&#39; salary purse increased to $1.6M In another major decision with long-term financial implications, the governing council has approved an increase in the player salary purse to $1.6 million per franchise, reinforcing the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pcb-invites-bids-for-multan-sultans-franchise-ahead-of-psl-11" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">PSL&rsquo;s ambition</a>&nbsp;to position itself as a more lucrative and globally attractive league for elite domestic and overseas cricketers. The PCB said the reforms reflect the league&rsquo;s evolving commercial maturity and its intent to align more closely with global franchise models, while maintaining its core objective of promoting high-quality cricket and fan engagement. HBL PSL 11 is scheduled to begin on 26 March 2026, with Faisalabad added as an additional host venue, marking the city&rsquo;s return to top-tier cricket and expanding the league&rsquo;s national footprint.Further details regarding the player auction mechanism, timelines and operational guidelines are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. The move to an auction system is widely seen as a watershed moment for the PSL &mdash; one that could redefine franchise valuations, reshape competitive balance and alter the league&rsquo;s economic landscape ahead of its second decade.

PCB says the transition to an auction system, to be implemented from HBL PSL 11, is aimed at strengthening competitive balance and significantly expanding earning opportunities for players, as the league enters its second decade.

Articles tagged with "PSL"

PSL playoffs set for high-stakes battle as PM allows fans into all matches

Australian leggie Adam Zampa explains why he chose PSL over IPL

Pakistan's T20 cricket league cuts venues, crowds due to Gulf crisis

Pakistan Super League approves player auction model for season 11