The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and owners of all eight Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises are considering moving the next edition of the tournament to January, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo.
The proposal was discussed during the PSL Governing Council meeting in London on September 1, with media rights holder Walee Technologies reportedly advocating an earlier window because of concerns over advertising revenue during the traditional April-May period.
No final decision has been made, but the potential shift could have significant implications for venues, player availability and the league’s commercial prospects.
PCB, franchises discuss January window for PSL 12
According to the report, Walee proposed holding PSL 12 in January because companies are believed to have already committed a substantial portion of their marketing and television advertising budgets by the April-May period.
The timing is particularly important as the April-May window follows Ramadan, when advertising spending is traditionally high.
Franchise owners, however, want greater clarity over their share of broadcast revenues regardless of when the tournament is staged. Under the existing agreement, the eight franchises receive 95% of broadcast revenue from the central revenue pool.
PSL’s January move could create player availability issues
The PSL was originally played in the February-March window, with its first nine editions held between 2016 and 2024.
The tournament shifted to April-May for the last two seasons because of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 and the T20 World Cup in 2026. The change also meant the PSL was played alongside the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Playing alongside the IPL has helped the PSL secure uninterrupted access to many players. A return to January or early February, however, could make overseas player recruitment more difficult.
The PSL would compete with Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) and South Africa’s SA20 for international players during that period.
Who topped the charts? 📊
Based on average per-match reach, here’s the HBL PSL 11 team viewership ranking.#HBLPSL pic.twitter.com/vs6g6iKf3M— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) August 2, 2026
Karachi could host opening matches
Weather is another major factor in the January proposal.
Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi — three of the PSL’s four traditional venues — experience colder temperatures and dense fog during January and February.
One proposal under discussion is to begin PSL 12 in Karachi before moving the tournament to Punjab and Peshawar as weather conditions improve.
This could allow the PCB to reduce the impact of winter weather on the schedule while retaining venues across the country.
Pakistan has international cricket window from November to March
Pakistan currently has a relatively clear international cricket window from mid-November through March, which could make an earlier PSL season easier to accommodate.
The national team is scheduled to host Sri Lanka and England in October and November before travelling for a series against New Zealand in March. The New Zealand assignment is expected to be Pakistan’s final World Test Championship fixture of the current cycle.
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi defends major England Test changes
Walee holds PSL rights until 2029
Walee Technologies currently holds the PSL’s domestic broadcast and digital rights until 2029. The company also held the international media rights for the 2026 season.
Walee is also the owner of Rawalpindiz, one of two new franchises introduced when the PSL expanded to eight teams this year.
The financial relationship between the broadcaster and franchises is therefore expected to remain an important part of discussions over any change to the tournament calendar.
PCB explores mid-year PSL tournament
The PSL Governing Council also discussed ways to expand the league’s commercial footprint beyond its traditional tournament window.
One proposal involves staging an additional mid-year tournament under the existing rights agreement. The PCB believes such an event could provide another revenue stream for franchises and the broadcaster while keeping the PSL visible throughout the year.
The council also discussed entering the esports sector, which has been growing in Pakistan.
An esports initiative could help the PSL connect with younger audiences, broaden its fan base and create additional commercial opportunities amid concerns among franchises about declining interest following Pakistan’s poor performances across formats.
No final decision yet on PSL 12 schedule
Despite discussions around a January start and additional events, the PCB and franchises have yet to reach a final decision.
Further consultations are expected before any changes to the PSL calendar are formally approved. The eventual decision will likely depend on commercial considerations, player availability, venue conditions and the broader international cricket schedule.
