The Pakistan Super League is exploring a six-a-side competition called HBL PSL Sixes, modelled on the Hong Kong Sixes format, to extend the brand into the off-season.
The Pakistan Super League is weighing up the addition of a six-a-side competition called HBL PSL Sixes to its annual calendar. The proposed event would sit in the off-season and draws its structural inspiration from the Hong Kong Sixes, a format that uses six players per side and condensed over-counts.
PSL chief executive Salman Naseer, who also serves as an advisor to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, confirmed the discussions on October 22, 2026. He was careful to stress that no decision has been reached.
"Nothing is finalised but there are some exciting plans, and one of them is a sixes tournament, called the HBL PSL Sixes, which will be in the off-season," said Naseer as quoted by Cricinfo.
The proposal emerged after the PCB reviewed options at the PSL governing council meeting held in September. Among the avenues examined was the possibility of inserting an additional event within the scope of the existing rights agreement, giving both franchises and the media rights partner a further commercial opportunity across the calendar year.
Why is PCB keen on a separate sixes event?
The PCB sees the PSL Sixes as a vehicle for generating an extra revenue stream for franchise owners and the broadcast partner alike. A competition with fewer players per side also carries lighter logistical requirements than a full T20 league, making it easier to stage at venues that have not previously hosted PSL cricket.
Since the league was brought entirely into Pakistan in 2020, it has rotated across four cities: Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi. The PSL itself was launched in 2016 and initially played in the UAE, with matches gradually relocated to Pakistan in the years that followed. A compact sixes event could open the door to stadiums in smaller cities that have so far been bypassed.
"We will look into the prospect of launching this tournament, and it will be very exciting, entertaining and engaging for the fans when it becomes a recurring feature," said Naseer.
"And maybe even going to the smaller stadiums and smaller cities, where we have not been able to take PSL and we know the fans are eager to watch cricket. So a smaller event might be doable, which is what we are exploring," he added.
What challenges remain before the tournament can be confirmed?
Securing a workable window for overseas players is the most immediate practical obstacle. International cricket schedules are already heavily congested, and carving out dates when foreign players are available will require careful coordination with boards and agents.
That difficulty is sharpened by the fact that next year's PSL will overlap with the Indian Premier League for the third consecutive year, restricting the pool of overseas talent available for PSL-related events. Any off-season slot for the PSL Sixes would face the same competition for player time.
No launch year or confirmed dates for the tournament have been announced. The PSL governing council is expected to revisit the proposal, though no timeline for a final decision has been communicated publicly.