The Pakistan Super League (PSL) could return to its traditional early-season window, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the eight franchise owners discussing the possibility of moving next year’s tournament to January.
The proposal was discussed during the PSL Governing Council meeting held in London on September 1. According to reports, Walee Technologies, the league’s media rights holder, suggested an earlier window because of concerns over advertising revenues during the April-May period.
The April-May schedule comes after Ramadan, when many companies have already exhausted a significant portion of their annual marketing and television advertising budgets. Franchise owners, meanwhile, are reportedly seeking assurances that their agreed share of broadcast revenue will be paid in full regardless of when the tournament is held.
Under the current agreement, the eight PSL franchises receive 95% of the broadcast revenue from the league’s central revenue pool.
The PSL was traditionally played between February and March from 2016 through 2024. However, the tournament was shifted to April-May in the last two seasons due to the Champions Trophy in 2025 and the T20 World Cup in 2026, which also resulted in the PSL overlapping with the Indian Premier League.
Moving the PSL back to January could create fresh challenges over the availability of international players, as the tournament would compete with leagues such as South Africa’s SA20 and the Big Bash League (BBL).
Weather conditions could also pose difficulties. January and February bring harsh winter conditions to Punjab, where Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi host PSL matches. Fog and low temperatures can create logistical and scheduling problems, particularly for evening games.
One proposal under discussion is to begin the tournament in Karachi, where winter conditions are relatively moderate, before moving the competition to Punjab and Peshawar as temperatures improve later in the season.
Pakistan currently has a relatively clear international cricket window from mid-November through March. The national team is scheduled to host Sri Lanka and England during October and November before facing New Zealand in a two-Test series in March.
Walee Technologies holds the PSL’s broadcast and digital rights in Pakistan until 2029 and also held the international media rights for the 2026 season. The company is additionally involved with Rawalpindiz, one of the two new franchises introduced to expand the league from six to eight teams.
The Governing Council also discussed ways to expand the PSL’s commercial footprint beyond cricket. One proposal involves entering the esports market, which has been growing rapidly in Pakistan and could help attract a younger audience.
Franchise owners have reportedly expressed concerns over declining interest in the PSL following Pakistan’s inconsistent performances across formats. Expanding into esports could provide the league with a new audience and additional commercial opportunities.
The PCB also proposed the possibility of organizing a mid-year tournament within the existing rights agreement. The initiative could create an additional revenue stream for both the franchises and the broadcaster while keeping the PSL brand active throughout the year.
No final decision on the January window has been announced yet, with further discussions expected between the PCB, franchises and other stakeholders.
