The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday opened the direct signings window for all eight HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises and unveiled the pre-season roadmap for the 12th edition of the tournament, which will be held from March 18 to May 2 next year.
The player-movement cycle has begun with immediate effect, with the Player Auction scheduled for Jan 23 next year.
HBL PSL 12 will feature 44 matches, comprising 40 league fixtures and four playoffs, over 46 days. For the first time in the league’s history, matches will be played across five to six venues.
Under the direct signings rules, each franchise will be allowed to sign one marquee player who did not feature in either HBL PSL 10 or HBL PSL 11.
The window will remain open until Nov 23. A workshop involving the franchises next week will finalise retention deadlines, the pre-auction trade window, auction regulations and playing conditions.
In a significant development for domestic cricket, the PCB has formally aligned the National T20 Gold and National T20 Silver tournaments with the PSL pre-season calendar.
The two competitions will now serve as the primary talent-identification pathway, providing outstanding domestic performers with a clearer route into the franchise league and potentially earning them selection for the national team.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi described the upcoming season as the league’s most ambitious edition yet.
“HBL PSL is Pakistan cricket’s biggest stage, and Season 12 will be its most ambitious yet. HBL PSL 11 ended before a record crowd, and we are building on that momentum by taking the league to more cities than ever before,” he said in a statement.
“The roadmap we have finalised and are partially announcing today gives every stakeholder, from franchises and players to commercial partners and broadcasters, the certainty to plan at the highest level. With the foundations now in place, we are looking forward to an exciting season.”
HBL PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer also highlighted the league’s expanded geographical reach, saying the move to multiple venues would bring the competition closer to fans across the country.
“For the first time, HBL PSL will go to five to six venues, bringing the league closer to fans across Pakistan and giving more cities the chance to host the best of T20 cricket,” he said.
“From today, the race to build the best squad for HBL PSL 12 is on. Every Direct Signing, every trade, every retention decision over the coming weeks will shape the teams that take the field in March. We look forward to a season that takes this league further than it has ever gone.”
The announcement builds on the landmark 2026 season, when the PSL expanded to eight teams with the inclusion of Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindiz. Peshawar Zalmi claimed their second title after defeating debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen in the final at Gaddafi Stadium, which drew a record crowd of 32,461.
The season, however, was also affected by regional tensions and fuel shortages, forcing organisers to concentrate most of the matches in Lahore and Karachi.
Further details regarding venues, the complete schedule and commercial arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming weeks as franchises begin assembling their squads for the tournament.
The PCB hopes the next edition will deliver a broader and more accessible experience for fans of Pakistan’s premier T20 competition.