KEY POINTS
- Aim Next is revealed as ninth of ten qualified bidders for two new PSL franchises.
- The auction on Jan 8 in Islamabad will expand PSL from six to eight teams.
- Winning bidders will pick a home city from list.
LAHORE, Pakistan: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced ‘Aim Next’ as the ninth qualified bidder for the high-stakes auction of two new Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises, setting the stage for a landmark expansion of the tournament to eight teams.
In a post on its official social media channels, the board declared, “A step closer to the auction day. Aim Next announced as the ninth qualified bidder for the HBL PSL Teams Auction.”
This leaves just one remaining bidder to be unveiled ahead of the closed-door auction, scheduled for Thursday, January 8, at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad.
The expansion, marking the league’s 11th edition scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3, represents one of the most significant developments in Pakistan’s premier T20 competition since its inception.
Among the most prominent confirmed bidders is the Tareen Group, spearheaded by businessman Ali Khan Tareen. His involvement adds a dramatic subplot to the proceedings.
Tareen previously owned the Multan Sultans franchise, which he acquired in 2018 and transformed into a PSL powerhouse, clinching the title in 2021 and becoming a consistent finalist.
Previously, the PCB had disclosed a list of eight qualified bidders, which included Walee, i2c, Prism Estate & Builders, DSM, VGO TEL, the OZ group of companies, Inverex Solar Energy, and Jazz.
The PCB has completed the technical evaluation of proposals from interested investor groups, narrowing the field to these qualified bidders.
The auction will determine the ownership of the two new teams, which will join the existing six sides for the upcoming edition.
A key post-auction process will see the successful bidders selecting a home city from a PCB-approved list.
The shortlisted cities vying to become new PSL hubs are Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit.
Cricket analysts suggest the expansion will not only broaden the league’s geographical footprint and fan engagement but also intensify competition and unlock greater commercial potential.
The inclusion of cities like Muzaffarabad and Gilgit is seen as a strategic move to further integrate cricket talent from across the country.
