ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) marked a significant milestone in its growth on Thursday as FKS Group secured the rights to the league’s seventh franchise with a winning bid of Rs1.75 billion during an auction held in Islamabad.
Organized by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this auction was a crucial step in the PSL’s expansion plan, which aims to grow from six to eight teams before the league’s 11th edition, set for 2026. The inclusion of two additional teams is designed to extend its commercial footprint and boost its appeal nationwide.
FKS Group, a prominent Southeast Asia–based firm with key interests spanning food and agriculture, logistics, and property development, emerged victorious after an intense bidding contest, with a strong operational base in Indonesia, FKS Group has recently ventured into sports investments, and this PSL franchise represents their inaugural leap into the realm of cricket.
Nine franchises participated in the bidding process following a rigorous technical and financial screening by the PCB. The shortlisted contenders included FKS Group, Jazz, i2c, Inverex Solar Energy, Aim Next Inc, OZ Developers’ Prism Developers, VGO TEL, and Walee Technologies.
The PCB lauded the high level of interest and the staggering final bid as evidence of the PSL’s rising commercial stature. Since its inception in 2016, the league has cemented itself as one of the premier T20 cricket tournaments globally.
With the seventh franchise now officially awarded, the PCB will soon focus on finalizing the sale of the eighth and last team, completing this phase of expansion. Winning bidders will also have the opportunity to designate their home city from a list of PCB-approved locations—an important decision shaping local fan engagement and commercial strategies moving forward.
This extension of the PSL underscores Pakistan cricket’s efforts toward bolstering its domestic landscape and appealing to private investors. The PCB anticipates that an expanded league will further elevate the tournament’s global standing and visibility.
