PCB exploring ‘PSL Sixes’ — a six-a-side franchise tournament for the off-season

LAHORE — A six-a-side franchise tournament for the Pakistan Super League’s off-season, to be called “PSL Sixes”, is under exploration by the Pakistan Cricket Board — but it is an idea being weighed, not a tournament that has been launched.
**Disclosed on a podcast**
PSL chief executive Salman Naseer disclosed the thinking on a PSL podcast, saying the board is exploring a Hong Kong Sixes-style event — six players a side, short matches — built on the PSL’s franchise model, with city and region teams rather than national sides. He was explicit that “nothing is finalised”.
**Smaller cities, smaller grounds**
The thinking behind it is to take cricket to smaller stadiums and smaller cities that have not hosted PSL matches, and to open up a new revenue stream for the franchises and the media-rights partner within the existing rights window.
**The Hong Kong link**
The idea carries weight because Pakistan are the Hong Kong Sixes’ most successful team — six titles, and the defending champions — with the next edition of that event set for October 31 to November 1. For “PSL Sixes” itself, though, no date, no venue and no teams have been confirmed; all of that remains to be decided.