PSL 2026 Format Leaked; Mohsin Naqvi Separates Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi

PSL 2026 format leaked; Babar, Shaheen separated [Source: X]

In a significant development, the PSL 2026 format has been leaked days before the tournament. If reports are to be believed, the Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB has kept Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi's PSL teams in separate groups. 

Recently, the PSL added two new teams from Sialkot and Rawalpindi, while Multan Sultans made a controversial exit from the competition. 

As eight teams- Lahore Qalandars, Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen, Karachi Kings, Sialkot Stallionz, Peshawar Zalmi, Islamabad United, Quetta Gladiators and Pindiz- gear up for the marquee event, a report has surfaced, explaining the format of the PSL 2026 season. 

PSL 2026 format locked; 44 matches including 4 playoff fixtures to be played

According to the latest report by renowned Pakistani journalist Basit Subhani, 44 matches, including four playoff fixtures, will be played in this year's PSL season. The eight participating teams have been divided into two groups, with four teams per group. 

Led by ace speedster Shaheen Afridi, Lahore Qalandars are placed in group A alongside Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen, Karachi Kings and Sialkot Stallionz. Meanwhile, the group B is studded with the Islamabad United, Quetta Gladiators and Pindiz, along with Peshawar Zalmi, a team which will be captained by none other than Babar Azam. 

So, the two biggest superstars of Pakistan cricket- Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi- will have their respective teams in different groups in the PSL 2026 edition. 

PSL 2026 format and matches

According to the reports, each team will play ten group-stage matches in the PSL this season. Teams in the same group will face each other twice, while also crossing swords once against those from the other group. 

For example, Shaheen Afridi's Lahore Qalandars will take on Hyderabad, Karachi and Sialkot twice, as these teams are placed in the same group. On the contrary, the Qalandars will face Babar Azam's Peshawar Zalmi only once, as the latter is placed in group B. 

Each PSL 2026 team will play ten games in the tournament before the best sides qualify for the semifinal. As reported by Pakistan's leading media agency, A Sports, teams from different groups will face each other once in the initial phase before the intra-group fixtures kick off. 

Thus, this year's PSL format will be quite different from the last season, which witnessed 34 matches, including the playoffs. Only six teams were involved in the competition, as Lahore Qalandars clinched the title following their comfortable five-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators. 

PSL 2026 venues revealed

As per the reports by A Sports, the PSL 2026 matches will be played across five venues. While the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad will make its PSL debut, the remaining matches will be held at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the National Stadium in Karachi, the Multan Cricket Stadium, and the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. 

For the unversed, the inaugural PSL auction was recently completed, with each franchise filling the gaps in the squad with strategic signings. Quetta Gladiators appointed Saud Shakeel as the skipper, while Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi will lead Peshawar and Lahore, respectively.