HBL PSL X Trophy unveiled
The HBL Pakistan Super League made history with a spectacular unveiling of its landmark 10th edition trophy, Luminara, in Karachi’s coastal waters on Thursday evening.
This unprecedented move marks a new milestone in the league’s legacy, symbolising innovation, resilience, brilliance, and the spirit of Pakistan’s premier T20 competition.
The unveiling was conducted in the open waters of the Arabian Sea, where a professional diver recovered a treasure chest from the deep sea with the support of the Pakistan Navy and handed over the prized trophy to HBL PSL stakeholders present in Karachi.
The narrative signifies a breathtaking display symbolising the league’s depth, evolution, and unwavering spirit. This unique spectacle was witnessed by HBL and PCB officials, franchise representatives, and cricketers further amplifying the excitement leading up to HBL PSL X.
Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi said on the occasion, “The unveiling of ‘Luminara’ at sea is a testament to the league’s commitment to innovation and excellence. As we celebrate a decade of HBL PSL, this trophy represents the league’s shining legacy and its bright future.”
The 10th edition of HBL PSL is set to take place in four cities – Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi from 11 April to 18 May. The opening match will be played between the defending champions Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Meanwhile, the first-ever trophy tour in the history of HBL PSL will commence today from Hyderabad and Karachi, with ‘Luminara’ scheduled to travel to 11 cities across Pakistan till 29 March, the PCB announced today.
The Luminara trophy will be displayed at various locations across Karachi and Hyderabad in the first leg of its tour on March 14 and 15 before heading to Lahore, where it will stay until March 17.
The trophy will then make a one-day visit to Multan, Bahawalpur and Faisalabad on March 18, 19 and 20 respectively before touring Peshawar on March 22.
The first leg of the historic trophy tour will eventually conclude on March 23, with Luminara making a stop at the capital city, Islamabad.
PSL could feature two additional teams from next edition
The 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), scheduled for next year, may expand to include eight teams, according to tournament COO Salman Naseer.
The PSL, Pakistan’s premier T20 league, was first launched in 2016 with five teams: Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators. In 2018, the league grew to six teams with the addition of Multan Sultans.
Since then, the PSL has been played with six teams, though discussions about expanding the league have surfaced periodically. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had previously announced that the 10th edition of the tournament, set for this year, would be the last to feature six teams, with two new teams expected in the 2026 edition.
However, the latest development indicates that the league could introduce two more teams sooner. Salman Naseer, who became the COO of PSL in November 2024, provided an update on the league’s expansion. He mentioned that the addition of two more teams could take place as early as the end of this year.
“By the end of this year, we might get two more teams,” Naseer told local media on Thursday.
He explained that the PSL’s journey began when cricket was largely absent from Pakistan, and the challenge was to bring it back. With cricket now successfully restored to traditional centers, Naseer emphasized that the next step was to expand beyond the current cities of Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Multan.
The PSL, typically held during the February-March window, now faces tough competition from other T20 leagues such as South Africa’s SA20 and the UAE’s International League T20, both influenced by the financially powerful Indian Premier League (IPL).
“This year will be an interesting test, and with more teams, we anticipate a bigger window,” Naseer added.
“Some of our rights are up for valuation after this PSL. A lot will depend on the data we gather,” he concluded.