Hyderabad, Sialkot Break Fee Records As New PSL Teams Join

The PSL has entered a new financial era as Hyderabad and Sialkot were officially unveiled as the league’s seventh and eighth franchises, with both teams fetching record-breaking fees at a high-voltage auction.

Record bids signal PSL’s big-league ambitions

In a bidding war that comfortably eclipsed all previous PSL numbers, US-based conglomerate FKS secured Hyderabad for a staggering PKR 1.75 billion, while real-estate group OZ Developers snapped up Sialkot with a PKR 1.85 billion bid. Both figures set new benchmarks for franchise value in Pakistan’s premier T20 tournament and underline the league’s soaring commercial appeal.

For Indian fans used to the madness of IPL auctions, the sight of global corporate giants battling for PSL rights – including owners who already run the Chicago Kingsmen setup – is another sign that high-level cricket investment is no longer limited to just IPL or English leagues. The base price of PKR 1.1 billion was quickly left behind as bids climbed, with iconic figures like Wasim Akram orchestrating proceedings from the auction floor.

Hyderabad and Sialkot now carry the expectations of two passionate cricket regions. Their first tasks: build competitive squads from scratch, craft an identity that resonates with local fans, and prove those massive cheques translate into performances on the park. With two fresh brands stepping in from this season, PSL’s rivalry map has been redrawn – and the pressure on the older franchises just went up a notch.