The Pakistan Super League (PSL), officially known as the HBL Pakistan Super League, is Pakistan’s leading professional men’s T20 cricket competition, organised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Launched in 2016, the tournament has grown from a five-team competition into an eight-franchise league featuring leading Pakistan internationals and overseas players from around the world.
The PSL has helped provide a platform for emerging Pakistani cricketers while bringing international stars into the country’s domestic cricket system. Its franchises represent different cities and regions, with teams competing for the championship through a league stage and playoffs.
Lahore Qalandars have won the most titles among the league’s original franchises, claiming the championship in 2022, 2023 and 2025. Peshawar Zalmi became champions in 2026, defeating Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets in the final to secure their second PSL title. The next edition, PSL 12, is scheduled to take place from March 18 to May 2, 2027, with all eight franchises returning.
What Is the Pakistan Super League?
The Pakistan Super League is a franchise-based T20 tournament organised by the Pakistan Cricket Board. Each team builds a squad featuring domestic players and international recruits, with matches played under the standard Twenty20 format of 20 overs per innings.
The competition was created to strengthen Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure, develop young talent and provide a high-profile platform for local players. It has also helped international cricketers return to Pakistan for competitive matches, particularly as the country has hosted more PSL fixtures over the years.
The league began with five teams in 2016 before expanding to six franchises in 2018. In 2026, Hyderabad Kingsmen and the franchise representing Rawalpindi joined the competition, taking the total to eight teams for the first time. The 2026 edition also introduced a player auction in place of the previous draft system.
History of the Pakistan Super League
The inaugural PSL season took place in 2016, with five teams competing in a tournament held in the United Arab Emirates. Islamabad United won the first title by defeating Quetta Gladiators in the final, establishing themselves as the league’s first champions.
Peshawar Zalmi won their maiden championship in 2017, beating Quetta Gladiators in the final. Islamabad United returned to the top in 2018, becoming the first franchise to win the PSL twice.
Quetta Gladiators finally lifted their first trophy in 2019 after defeating Peshawar Zalmi. Karachi Kings followed in 2020, while Multan Sultans claimed their maiden title in 2021 by beating Peshawar Zalmi in the final.
Lahore Qalandars then became the dominant side of the following period, winning back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023. Islamabad United added a third championship in 2024, before Lahore returned to the top in 2025 to claim their third title.
Peshawar Zalmi won the 2026 championship after defeating newcomers Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets in Lahore. The victory ended a nine-year wait for their second title, following their previous triumph in 2017.
Pakistan Super League Winners List
The PSL has crowned six different champions across its first 11 seasons. Lahore Qalandars have the most titles, followed by Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi, who have won three and two championships respectively.
| Season | Champions | Runners-up |
| 2016 | Islamabad United | Quetta Gladiators |
| 2017 | Peshawar Zalmi | Quetta Gladiators |
| 2018 | Islamabad United | Peshawar Zalmi |
| 2019 | Quetta Gladiators | Peshawar Zalmi |
| 2020 | Karachi Kings | Lahore Qalandars |
| 2021 | Multan Sultans | Peshawar Zalmi |
| 2022 | Lahore Qalandars | Multan Sultans |
| 2023 | Lahore Qalandars | Multan Sultans |
| 2024 | Islamabad United | Multan Sultans |
| 2025 | Lahore Qalandars | Quetta Gladiators |
| 2026 | Peshawar Zalmi | Hyderabad Kingsmen |
Lahore Qalandars became the first team to win three PSL titles, achieving the feat in 2022, 2023 and 2025. Islamabad United were the first two-time champions and later secured a third trophy in 2024, while Peshawar Zalmi joined the two-title group after winning in 2017 and 2026.
The 2026 final also marked a significant moment for Hyderabad Kingsmen, who reached the championship match in their debut season but lost to Peshawar Zalmi by five wickets.
Pakistan Super League Teams
The PSL features eight franchises following its expansion in 2026. Each team represents a city or region and competes for the championship with a squad of domestic and overseas players.
1. Islamabad United
Islamabad United are one of the most successful franchises in PSL history, having won titles in 2016, 2018 and 2024. Their first championship came in the inaugural season, and they became the first team to win the competition twice.
The franchise has featured leading Pakistan players and international T20 specialists throughout its history. Islamabad United’s three championships place them among the most successful teams in the competition.
2. Karachi Kings
Karachi Kings represent Pakistan’s largest city and won their first PSL title in 2020. They defeated Lahore Qalandars in the final to become the fifth franchise to win the championship.
The team has featured Pakistan internationals and overseas players across different seasons. Their title-winning campaign remains a major milestone for the Karachi franchise.
3. Lahore Qalandars
Lahore Qalandars have won three PSL titles, making them the most successful franchise in the competition’s history. They lifted their first trophy in 2022, defended it in 2023 and returned to the top in 2025.
The franchise has developed a reputation for its pace-bowling resources and has featured players such as Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. Their run of championships in 2022 and 2023 made them the first team to win consecutive PSL titles.
4. Multan Sultans
Multan Sultans won their maiden PSL title in 2021 after defeating Peshawar Zalmi in the final. They remained competitive in the following seasons, reaching the finals in 2022, 2023 and 2024 but losing on each occasion.
The franchise has featured Pakistan internationals such as Mohammad Rizwan and several overseas T20 specialists. Their consistent performances in the early 2020s made them one of the strongest sides in the competition.
5. Peshawar Zalmi
Peshawar Zalmi won their first PSL championship in 2017, defeating Quetta Gladiators in the final. They waited nine years for their second trophy before defeating Hyderabad Kingsmen in the 2026 final.
Captain Babar Azam led the team during its title-winning 2026 campaign, while Aaron Hardie played a decisive role in the final with an unbeaten 56 and bowling figures of 4/27. Peshawar Zalmi also finished the tournament with Babar as the leading run-scorer, on 588 runs.
6. Quetta Gladiators
Quetta Gladiators won their only PSL title in 2019 after defeating Peshawar Zalmi in the final. They also reached the championship match in 2016 and 2017 but lost on both occasions.
The franchise has featured experienced players from Pakistan and overseas, including prominent T20 batters and bowlers. Their 2019 championship remains their biggest achievement in the league.
7. Hyderabad Kingsmen
Hyderabad Kingsmen joined the PSL in 2026 as one of the two expansion franchises. Despite being new to the competition, they enjoyed a remarkable first season and reached the final against Peshawar Zalmi.
The Kingsmen scored 129 before being bowled out in 18 overs during the 2026 final. They ultimately lost by five wickets, but reaching the championship match in their first campaign gave the new franchise a strong start.
8. Rawalpindi Pindiz
Rawalpindi Pindiz joined the expanded eight-team PSL competition in 2026. The franchise represents the Rawalpindi area and plays its home matches at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The addition of the Pindiz gave the league another regional identity and helped expand its presence beyond the cities represented by the original six franchises. They are part of the eight-team format confirmed for the 2027 season.
Pakistan Super League Format
The PSL follows the Twenty20 format, with each team batting for a maximum of 20 overs in a standard innings. The league uses a group stage followed by playoffs to decide the two teams that contest the final.
In the 2026 season, the expanded competition featured eight teams and 44 matches. Each franchise played 10 league matches before the top four advanced to the playoffs. The knockout stage included a Qualifier, an Eliminator, a second qualifying match and the final.
The usual playoff structure works as follows:
- Qualifier 1: The top two teams face each other, with the winner advancing directly to the final.
- Eliminator: The third- and fourth-placed teams play, with the losing team eliminated.
- Qualifier 2: The loser of Qualifier 1 faces the Eliminator winner for the remaining place in the final.
- Final: The two remaining teams compete for the PSL trophy.
The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that the eight-team format will continue in 2027. Further details about the final match schedule and venues are expected to be announced separately.
Pakistan Super League 2027 Season
The 12th edition of the PSL is scheduled to run from March 18 to May 2, 2027. The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the tournament window in October 2026, with all eight franchises set to compete for the title.
The upcoming season will follow the expanded format introduced in 2026, when Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindi Pindiz joined the six established franchises. The previous edition also marked the league’s first player auction, replacing the draft system used in earlier seasons.
Peshawar Zalmi will enter the 2027 tournament as defending champions after beating Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets in the 2026 final. The PCB has indicated that squad-building steps, including direct signings, player retentions, the trade window and the auction, will take place ahead of the new season.
Pakistan Super League Venues
The PSL has used several venues in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates over its history. The inaugural editions were staged in the UAE, while the competition gradually returned to Pakistan as the country resumed hosting major international and domestic cricket events.
The 2026 season was played across six venues: Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad and Peshawar. The tournament also marked the first time PSL matches were played in Faisalabad and Peshawar.
Some of the league’s main grounds include Gaddafi Stadium, National Bank Stadium, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Multan Cricket Stadium, Iqbal Stadium, and Imran Khan Cricket Stadium. The exact venue allocation for PSL 12 in 2027 is subject to the detailed schedule announced by the PCB.
Pakistan Super League Records
The PSL has produced several notable team and individual achievements since its first season. Its records reflect the impact of leading Pakistan internationals and overseas players who have performed in the competition.
Most PSL Titles
Lahore Qalandars have won three titles, in 2022, 2023 and 2025. Islamabad United have also won three championships, in 2016, 2018 and 2024, while Peshawar Zalmi have won twice, in 2017 and 2026.
Most Runs in PSL 2026
Babar Azam finished the 2026 season as the leading run-scorer, scoring 588 runs in 11 matches for Peshawar Zalmi. His tally equalled the PSL record for most runs in a single season.
Most Wickets in PSL 2026
Sufyan Moqim of Peshawar Zalmi finished as the leading wicket-taker in the 2026 edition, claiming 22 wickets in 11 matches. He also won the tournament’s Player of the Tournament award.
Highest Crowd at a PSL Final
The 2026 final between Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen attracted a crowd of 32,461 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The Pakistan Cricket Board reported this as the largest crowd in PSL history.
Second PSL Title for Peshawar Zalmi
Peshawar Zalmi won their second championship in 2026, defeating Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets. Aaron Hardie took 4/27 and then scored an unbeaten 56, helping Zalmi chase a target of 130 in 15.2 overs.
Pakistan Super League at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Official name | HBL Pakistan Super League |
| Abbreviation | PSL |
| Organiser | Pakistan Cricket Board |
| First season | 2016 |
| Format | Men’s T20 franchise cricket |
| Number of teams | 8 |
| Most successful teams | Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United, 3 titles each |
| 2025 champions | Lahore Qalandars |
| 2026 champions | Peshawar Zalmi |
| Defending champions | Peshawar Zalmi |
| 2026 Player of the Tournament | Sufyan Moqim |
| 2026 leading run-scorer | Babar Azam, 588 runs |
| 2026 leading wicket-taker | Sufyan Moqim, 22 wickets |
| PSL 12 dates | March 18–May 2, 2027 |
FAQs
Q. What is the Pakistan Super League?
A. The PSL is Pakistan’s professional men’s T20 franchise cricket competition.
Q. Who won the first PSL title?
A. Islamabad United won the inaugural PSL title in 2016.
Q. Which team has won the most PSL titles?
A. Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United have each won three titles.
Q. Who won the PSL in 2026?
A. Peshawar Zalmi won the 2026 title by defeating Hyderabad Kingsmen in the final.
Q. When will PSL 2027 start?
A. PSL 12 is scheduled to begin on March 18, 2027.
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