The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has had an incredible decade-long journey that has redefined the cricketing landscape in Pakistan. From its rocky beginnings in 2016, where doubts about its success loomed large, to becoming a global phenomenon, the league’s rise is nothing short of extraordinary. The PSL has not only revolutionized T20 cricket but also helped elevate Pakistan’s standing in the international cricketing world.
The seeds of the PSL were planted in the early 2010s, when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), under the leadership of then Chairman Najam Sethi, envisioned a league that could bring international cricketing excitement to Pakistani fans and provide a professional platform for local talent.
Former PCB officials like Subhan Ahmed worked behind the scenes, navigating logistical hurdles and commercial challenges to make this dream a reality. The idea finally materialized in 2016 with five franchises taking the field in the inaugural season held in the UAE due to security concerns back home.
Despite the glamour and excitement, the early years weren’t easy. Skeptics questioned whether Pakistan could sustain such a league, especially with matches held offshore. Yet the tournament gained momentum, thanks to high-quality cricket, engaging branding, and a growing fan base.
The breakthrough came in 2017, when the PSL final was held in Lahore amidst tight security—sending a powerful message that Pakistan was ready to host top-tier cricket again.
As the league matured, a major expansion came in 2018 with the inclusion of a sixth team: Multan Sultans. This new franchise represented southern Punjab and was aimed at tapping into an even wider fan base. Its entry elevated competition and added fresh energy to the tournament structure. Multan Sultans eventually went on to become champions in 2021, further proving the strength of the league’s growing roots.
In 2019, the PSL had firmly planted itself as one of the world’s top T20 leagues. International stars signed up in greater numbers, and viewership reached record highs. The league returned to Pakistan fully in 2020, an emotional milestone made possible by improved security and tireless efforts by the PCB. That same year, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing matches to be postponed and later played in a bio-secure bubble. Yet even that couldn’t slow PSL’s momentum.
Men Behind the Success
Behind the scenes, successive PCB chairmen—Najam Sethi, Ehsan Mani, and Ramiz Raja—played vital roles in ensuring the league’s continuity, growth, and global visibility. With each passing year, the PSL became a beacon for international cricket’s return to Pakistan. Local heroes like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Rizwan used the league as a launchpad to stardom, while international players vouched for the league’s competitiveness and spirit.
Now, as the PSL enters its 10th season in 2025, it stands tall among the top T20 leagues in the world, backed by a vibrant fan base, world-class production, and unmatched energy in stadiums across the country. The league’s influence has gone beyond cricket—it has restored national pride, revitalized stadiums, boosted tourism, and united a country through sport.
As we celebrate ten years of PSL, we also salute the visionaries, players, broadcasters, and fans who turned an ambitious dream into Pakistan’s most thrilling sporting reality. The journey ahead looks even more promising.
Champins of PSL 1-9
