Eight cities, eight franchises, eleven seasons of rivalry. The Pakistan Super League’s teams are among the most valuable sports brands in the country — and since 2026, there are two new names on the roster. This guide covers every PSL franchise: titles, owners, captains and home grounds.
Quick answer: The PSL has 8 teams: Islamabad United, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans — plus Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindi Pindiz, who debuted in PSL 11 (2026). Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars lead with 3 titles each.
In this guide
The Eight Franchises
| Team | Titles | Home ground | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Islamabad United | 3 (2016, 2018, 2024) | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium | Most consistent franchise; data-driven approach |
| Lahore Qalandars | 3 (2022, 2023, 2025) | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | Back-to-back titles under Shaheen Afridi |
| Peshawar Zalmi | 2 (2017, 2026) | Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar | Defending champions; Babar Azam’s side |
| Quetta Gladiators | 1 (2019) | Bugti Stadium, Quetta | “Kai Kai Quetta”; Sarfaraz’s long captaincy |
| Karachi Kings | 1 (2020) | National Stadium, Karachi | Won the COVID-affected 2020 season |
| Multan Sultans | 1 (2021) | Multan Cricket Stadium | Four straight finals 2021–2024 |
| Hyderabad Kingsmen | 0 (finalists 2026) | Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad | Debuted 2026; finalists at first attempt |
| Rawalpindi Pindiz | 0 | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium | Debuted 2026 |
The 2026 Newcomers
The PCB auctioned the two new franchise rights on 8 January 2026 at the Islamabad Convention Centre — the league’s first expansion since Multan joined in 2018. The Hyderabad Kingsmen made an instant impact, reaching the PSL 11 final in their debut season before falling to Peshawar Zalmi. The Rawalpindi Pindiz give the Potohar region its own identity distinct from Islamabad United. Expansion to eight teams also brought Faisalabad into the venue rotation.
Most Successful Teams
By titles: Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars (3 each) stand clear, then Peshawar Zalmi (2). By consistency, Multan Sultans’ four consecutive finals (2021–2024) is unmatched — even though they won only one. Quetta Gladiators reached three of the first four finals. The full roll of honour is in our PSL winners guide.
Great PSL Rivalries
Every league needs its derbies. Lahore vs Karachi is the PSL’s El Clásico — Pakistan’s two biggest cities, rarely a dull game. Lahore vs Multan defined 2022–2024, meeting in three consecutive finals. Peshawar vs Quetta carried the early years, facing off in the 2017 final. And the 2026 expansion has already seeded a new one: Hyderabad vs Karachi, the Sindh derby the league never knew it needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams are in the PSL?
Eight, since the 2026 expansion added the Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindi Pindiz to the six founding franchises.
Which PSL team is the most popular?
Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi consistently draw the biggest crowds and social followings, though every franchise commands fierce city loyalty — Karachi–Lahore is the league’s marquee rivalry.
