Big day for Pakistani cricket fans as the Pakistan Cricket Board just dropped the schedule for PSL 2026. The 11th season kicks off on March 26 with Lahore Qalandars taking on the Hyderabad Kingsmen in the opening game. The final’s set for May 3. Interestingly, PSL starts two days before IPL 2026. The IPL’s 19th season starts March 28, and its final is on May 11.

There’s a bit of drama with the IPL schedule too. Because of assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu, the BCCI will only announce the first 20 days of matches on March 12. Elections mean IPL 2026 had to shift its original timeline. The tournament was supposed to run from March 26 to May 30, but the BCCI moved the start to avoid a clash with voting.

Eight teams to compete in PSL 2026

Back to PSL, there’s something new. This season, not six, eight teams are in the mix. So along with the usuals, Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, Islamabad United, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators, you’ve got Sialkot Stallions, Rawalpindi Pindiz, and the Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen joining the fray.

All in they’ll play 44 matches. The group stage has 40 games, wrapping up on April 26. Playoffs pick up right after, starting April 28, with Rawalpindi and Lahore getting to host those crucial matches.