HBL PSL 11 (2026): The Complete Guide Every PSL Fan Needs Right Now

Pakistan’s biggest cricket party is back — and this time, it’s bigger than anything we’ve seen before.

HBL PSL 11 is not just another season. It’s a full reset. Eight teams for the first time ever. Two brand-new franchises. A live auction replacing the draft that ran for a decade. A trophy called “Infinity.” And matches happening right now, from March 26 all the way to May 3, 2026.

Whether you’re trying to catch the schedule, figure out which channel to watch on, or understand what’s actually changed this year — this guide covers it all.

What Is HBL PSL 11?

HBL PSL 11 is the eleventh edition of the Pakistan Super League, officially branded as HBL PSL 11 after title sponsor HBL Pakistan renewed its partnership in October 2025 for another two years.

The PCB launched the PSL back in 2016, and it has grown into one of the top T20 franchise leagues in the world — right alongside the IPL, Big Bash, and The Hundred. Season 11 is the most ambitious edition yet. For the full backstory on how PSL grew to this point, check out this detailed PSL history.

Quick facts at a glance:

• Tournament dates: March 26 – May 3, 2026
• Total matches: 44
• Duration: 39 days
• Number of teams: 8 (first time ever)
• Venues (revised): Lahore (Gaddafi Stadium) and Karachi (National Bank Stadium)
• Opening match: Lahore Qalandars vs Hyderabad Kingsmen, March 26
• Final: May 3, 2026, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
• Trophy name: Infinity

The Biggest Change: 8 Teams for the First Time

For ten seasons, PSL ran with six teams. That era is over.

PSL 11 welcomes two new franchises into the competition:

Hyderabad Kingsmen

Purchased for PKR 175 crore, Hyderabad Kingsmen are one of the two brand-new sides. Their maroon kit caused a minor controversy in the very first match — the ball picked up color from their kit and had to be changed mid-game. Already making history, and they’ve barely played.

Rawalpindi Pindiz (also called Rawalpindiz)

This is the most expensive franchise in PSL history, sold for PKR 245 crore to Walee Technologies. There’s an interesting backstory here: Walee Technologies acquired the old Multan Sultans franchise after owner Ali Tareen decided not to renew his agreement with the PCB, citing financial losses. Walee then relocated the franchise to Rawalpindi and rebranded it. Meanwhile, the Sialkot Stallionz owners sold their franchise to CD Ventures, who brought back the Multan Sultans name.

The six original teams — Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, Islamabad United, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators — all returned under renewed franchise agreements covering 2026–2035, following a league valuation conducted by Ernst & Young.

PSL 11 Format: How the Tournament Works

The jump from 6 to 8 teams meant a new competition structure was needed.

Group Stage (Two Groups of Four)

Teams are split into two groups. Each team plays:

• Opponents in their group twice (6 matches)
• Opponents from the other group once (4 matches)
• Total: 10 league matches per team

Playoffs

The top four teams from the overall standings advance to the playoffs:

1. Qualifier – 1st vs 2nd place. Winner goes straight to the Final.
2. Eliminator 1 – 3rd vs 4th place. Loser is knocked out.
3. Eliminator 2 – Qualifier loser vs Eliminator 1 winner. Loser is out.
4. Final – Qualifier winner vs Eliminator 2 winner.

This system gives the top two teams a second chance if they lose the Qualifier. One extra game can save your season.

Points system: Win = 2 points, Tie/No Result = 1 point, Loss = 0 points. If teams finish level on points, Net Run Rate (NRR) decides the ranking.

All 8 Teams and Their Squads

Lahore Qalandars (Defending Champions)

Lahore are the side everyone is measuring themselves against. Three PSL titles to their name — the joint most alongside Islamabad United — and they opened the season by comfortably beating the debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen. Expect Shaheen Shah Afridi to lead the attack.

Karachi Kings

Karachi bounced back well in their first match, beating Quetta Gladiators by 14 runs in a 181-run chase. Moeen Ali’s 48 was the standout knock. They won their only PSL title in 2020 and will be gunning to end a long drought.

Islamabad United

Three-time champions and historically one of PSL’s most consistent sides. Islamabad are always in the playoff conversation.

Peshawar Zalmi

Babar Azam is the big name here. Zalmi have one title (2017) but with Babar leading the batting lineup, expectations are always high. Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris add explosive firepower.

Quetta Gladiators

One title in 2019. Roshan Mahanama served as match referee for key matches. The Gladiators have experienced campaigners who know how to win tight games.

Multan Sultans

The Sultans are back under new ownership (CD Ventures) and a fresh identity. Ashton Turner captains this side, with Steve Smith and Tabraiz Shamsi as key foreign players. Gohar Shah, the new owner, has said he wants the team to play “Total Cricket” — an aggressive, fearless brand of the game.

Rawalpindi Pindiz

The most talked-about new franchise. Mohammad Rizwan leads the side. Their squad includes Naseem Shah (the most expensive player in auction history at PKR 8.65 crore), Daryl Mitchell from New Zealand, and veteran Mohammad Amir. This is a team built to win from day one.

Hyderabad Kingsmen

The other new franchise. Glenn Maxwell is in their squad but was only expected to be available for the second half of the season. It’s a team building its identity from scratch — which is exactly what makes them interesting to watch.

The First-Ever PSL Auction: How It Changed Everything

This is one of the biggest structural shifts in PSL history.

For ten years, PSL used a player draft system. Teams picked players in rounds, and budget considerations were handled through tiered categories. It worked, but it lacked the drama and market-driven tension that auctions create.

PSL 11 scrapped the draft entirely.

On February 11, 2026, the first-ever PSL live auction was held in Lahore. Here’s how it worked:

• 888 players registered, both local and foreign, at four different base prices
• Each team’s purse was capped at PKR 45 crore, extendable to PKR 50.5 crore to sign one previously uncapped foreign player directly
• Teams could retain up to four players (one per category) before the auction
• New franchises were allowed to sign four players to match the retained player advantage of existing teams

The biggest moment? Naseem Shah went to Rawalpindi Pindiz for PKR 8.65 crore — the most expensive player sale in PSL auction history. Multiple franchises were bidding aggressively, and it was exactly the kind of high-stakes drama that an auction format delivers.

Venues: What Happened to Six Cities?

The original plan was bold. Six venues, including Faisalabad and Peshawar hosting PSL matches for the very first time. Tickets were priced and on sale. Fans in those cities were ready.

Then the PCB revised the schedule on March 22, 2026.

Due to a national energy crisis linked to the Iran-Israel war, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced that matches would take place without spectators to conserve fuel. The venues were consolidated to just two:

• Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore – hosting the opening match and the final
• National Bank Stadium, Karachi – hosting the Qualifier

It’s genuinely disappointing for fans in Faisalabad, Peshawar, Multan, and Rawalpindi who had planned to attend. But the cricket is still happening. The matches are still live. And the quality on the pitch is as high as it’s ever been.

Where to Watch PSL 11 Live

In Pakistan

ARY Sports and ARY Network hold the domestic broadcast rights. ARY paid a reported PKR 7.4 billion for two-year rights — a 45% increase on previous deals. You can also stream via their digital platforms.

Walee Technologies won the international broadcast bidding with a 149% increase on previous international rights.

Outside Pakistan

• Australia and New Zealand: ESPN will air PSL 11 matches — the first time ESPN has broadcast PSL in that region
• Online/Digital: Check the official ARY and PCB streaming pages for your region

Match Timings

• Single match days: 7:00 PM PKT
• Double-headers: 2:00 PM PKT and 7:00 PM PKT (12 double-header days are scheduled during the league stage)

The PSL 11 Anthem: Khelenge Beat Pe

The official anthem for HBL PSL 11 is called “Khelenge Beat Pe”, released on March 24, 2026.

The lineup features Atif Aslam, Aima Baig, Sabri Sisters, and Daniya Kanwal — a strong mix of established artists and fresh voices. PSL anthems have always been a cultural moment for Pakistan beyond just cricket, and this one follows that tradition.

The Infinity Trophy

The PSL 11 trophy is called “Infinity” — and it’s stunning work.

Designed by Hanif Jewellers and handcrafted by 18 artisans, the trophy features:

• A circular base with eight emerald-cut jewels representing the eight teams
• Two golden curved arms rising to hold a crescent and a star
• Hundreds of small crystals across the design

It was unveiled on March 11 at National Bank Stadium in Karachi and has been touring across the country since.

PSL 11 and the T20 World Cup Connection

This season has an extra layer of importance. The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is on the horizon, and national selectors are watching PSL closely.

Each team is required to include at least two Under-23 Pakistani players in their squad, with at least one playing in every XI. This isn’t just a development quota — it’s a direct pipeline. Young domestic players who perform here have a real shot at the national side.

The PSL schedule was also deliberately planned to follow the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, held in February and March, so players could transition directly from World Cup cricket into PSL form.

Prize Money in PSL 11

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi increased the rewards for PSL 11:

• Champions: $500,000
• Runners-up: $300,000 (up from $200,000 in PSL 10)
• Best franchise for cricket development: $200,000 (new award)

The development award is a smart addition — it incentivizes franchises to invest in youth cricket, not just winning.

Ticket Prices (Originally Announced)

Before the schedule was revised to closed-door matches, tickets had been priced as follows:

With matches now being played without spectators, fans are watching from home — but when live attendance returns, these tiers give you an idea of what to expect.

PSL Championship History: Who Has Won What

Ten finals have been played in PSL history. Here’s the complete record:

Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindi Pindiz are yet to win their first title — but then again, everyone starts somewhere.

What Competitors Are Missing: The Real Story Behind PSL 11

Most articles give you the schedule and the squads and stop there. Here’s what they’re not talking about:

The franchise ownership drama is genuinely fascinating. Ali Tareen walking away from Multan Sultans after years of building the franchise — citing financial losses and disagreements with PCB management — is the kind of behind-the-scenes story that shapes the future of the league. It led directly to Rawalpindi Pindiz being created, and to Multan Sultans being reborn under completely new owners.

The broadcast revolution is underway. A 149% increase in international broadcast rights is not a small number. PSL is actively expanding its global footprint, and the ESPN deal for Australia and New Zealand is the clearest sign yet that this league is being taken seriously outside of South Asia.

The closed-door matches are a significant story. Playing a tournament of this scale without fans in the stadium — due to an energy crisis linked to a regional conflict — is unusual. It affects atmosphere, gate revenue, and the experience of players who feed off crowd energy. It’s worth acknowledging, not brushing past.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does PSL 11 start and end? PSL 11 runs from March 26 to May 3, 2026.

How many matches are in PSL 11? 44 matches over 39 days.

How many teams are playing? Eight — the most in PSL history. The two new teams are Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindi Pindiz.

Where are the PSL 11 matches being played? Due to a revised schedule announced on March 22, all matches are being played in Lahore (Gaddafi Stadium) and Karachi (National Bank Stadium) only.

Why are matches behind closed doors? PCB announced that matches will take place without spectators to conserve fuel during a national energy crisis linked to the Iran-Israel war.

Who is the most expensive player in PSL 11? Naseem Shah, bought by Rawalpindi Pindiz for PKR 8.65 crore at the February 11 auction.

What is the PSL 11 anthem called? “Khelenge Beat Pe” — featuring Atif Aslam, Aima Baig, Sabri Sisters, and Daniya Kanwal.

What happened to the player draft? PSL replaced the draft with a live auction system for the first time in its history. 888 players were registered for the February 11 auction.

Who are the defending champions? Lahore Qalandars, who won PSL 10 in 2025.

Where can I watch PSL 11 live? ARY Sports/Network in Pakistan. ESPN for Australia and New Zealand. Check PCB’s official channels for your region’s broadcast partner.

What is the prize money for PSL 11? Champions get $500,000, runners-up get $300,000, and the best franchise for cricket development wins $200,000.

What is the PSL 11 trophy called? Infinity — handcrafted by 18 artisans for Hanif Jewellers, featuring eight emerald-cut jewels representing the eight teams.

Final Thoughts

PSL 11 is already one for the books. The expansion to eight teams, the first-ever auction, two new franchises writing their first chapters, a new trophy, and a broader broadcast reach than any previous edition — it all adds up to something genuinely different.

Yes, the closed-door stadiums are a setback. But cricket is happening. The quality is there. And the stories unfolding match by match are worth following closely.

If you’re a PSL fan, this is the season to stay locked in.

Sources:

• Wikipedia — 2026 Pakistan Super League
• Pakistan Observer — HBL PSL 2026 Guide
• PSL Update Hub — PSL 11 Schedule 2026
• PSL Official Website
• ESPN Cricinfo — PSL 2026
• Cricket News — PSL 2026 Squads
• Pakistan Truth — How to Watch PSL 11
• HBL PSL 2026

Related Reading:

• Complete PSL History — All Seasons, Champions, and Records