Naqvi-led PCB plans new Hong Kong Sixes-style tournament to expand cricket's reach

Mohsin Naqvi (PTI Photo)

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), led by Mohsin Naqvi, is exploring plans to launch a new six-a-side cricket tournament called PSL Sixes. The idea is to make cricket more entertaining for fans while expanding the reach of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).The proposal comes after Pakistan withdrew from the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2026 amid tensions with India.Speaking on a PSL podcast, league chief executive Salman Naseer confirmed that the tournament is still being discussed and no final decision has been made.

"Nothing is finalised, but there are some exciting plans, and one of them is a sixes tournament, called the PSL Sixes, which will be in the off-season.

We will look into the prospect of launching this tournament, and it will be very exciting, entertaining and engaging for the fans when it becomes a recurring feature," he said.

PSL Sixes could reach smaller cities

The PCB is also considering taking the competition to smaller stadiums and cities where regular PSL matches have not been held. This could help more fans watch live cricket and give the tournament a wider audience."Maybe even going to the smaller stadiums and smaller cities, where we have not been able to take the PSL, and we know the fans are eager to watch cricket.

So, a smaller event might be doable, which is what we are exploring," he added.Unlike the Hong Kong Sixes, which features teams representing different countries, the proposed PSL Sixes is expected to follow a franchise-based format, with teams representing cities and regions in Pakistan.

Pakistan have been highly successful in the Hong Kong Sixes, winning the tournament six times since it began in 1992. They are also the defending champions, with the next edition scheduled for October 31 and November 1.Meanwhile, the PCB has reportedly refused permission for Pakistan's over-50s team to travel to India for the International Masters Cricket World Cup in January next year. The team had won the previous edition in Sri Lanka, but the board informed the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association that it could not travel to India for the upcoming tournament.