Cricket is gearing up for a major global shake-up as the Champions League T20 format is set to return – this time with a new identity. Reports suggest the revamped competition will be called the World Club Championship, bringing together the winners of the world’s top T20 franchise leagues in a blockbuster tournament format.

Several sources have indicated that the event will take place in 2026, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) being two of the most invested in the revival. Furthermore, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has also given support to the idea, signalling its desire to take club T20 cricket globally.

Participating Leagues in the Inaugural Edition:

However, there’s a major omission. No team from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will feature in the first edition, reportedly due to Pakistan Cricket Board’s absence from a key meeting held in London. The meeting, hosted under the ICC’s umbrella, was attended by representatives of all the major T20 leagues, including the Emirates League, SA20, CPL, and more. The Lahore Qalandars, the reigning PSL champions, will miss out.

Building a Unified T20 Ecosystem – and Blunting Saudi Ambitions

ECB CEO Richard Gould, in a statement to ESPNcricinfo, confirmed that the tournament is indeed "on the cards" for both men and women, calling it “the next logical step” for the evolution of franchise cricket.

The World Club Championship is also reportedly being fast-tracked to counter the emergence of the Saudi Cricket League, a high-budget T20 initiative backed by a reported USD 400 million investment. Saudi plans to model their league on the tennis Grand Slam format, but opposition from top cricket boards like the BCCI and ECB – who are unlikely to grant NOCs to their players – has already created roadblocks.

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With nearly every cricketing nation now boasting a franchise T20 league, a unified global competition makes strategic sense. It not only provides a global stage for top-performing teams but also gives players from emerging leagues – like those in the UAE and USA – a golden opportunity to rub shoulders with the sport’s elite.

A Global Reboot of Franchise Cricket's Biggest Stage

The concept closely mirrors the now-defunct Champions League T20, which ran from 2009 to 2014. That tournament saw top clubs from the IPL, BBL, South Africa’s Ram Slam, and others compete in a high-stakes, intercontinental format. The new World Club Championship aims to revive that legacy – but with a more inclusive, globally aligned structure.

Though the exact format and schedule are still under discussion, the World Club Championship is likely to:

• Feature winners (or top teams) from each major T20 league
  
• Rotate venues globally
  
• Feature both men’s and women’s editions in the long run
  
• Be supported by strong broadcast and commercial deals
  

The stage is now being set for what could become cricket’s ultimate franchise showdown. With most of the cricketing world on board and ICC backing secured, the World Club Championship promises to redefine the global T20 calendar – and spark new rivalries along the way.

Hijab Zahid has been reappointed as Senior Manager of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), reiterating her central position in one of Pakistan's most prominent sporting assets. Her reappointment indicates stability and a fresh emphasis on the development and transformation of the league.

The reappointment of Hijab has been welcomed by all within the cricket fraternity, especially those who have witnessed the growth of the PSL in terms of stature over the last few years. She had the position for a few seasons earlier, during which the PSL established itself as a successful commercial and internationally followed franchise-based T20 league.

Most respected for her professionalism and dedication towards developing the league, Hijab has had a major role in simplifying PSL operations, enhancing its online reach, and helping it gain more fans globally as well as locally. Her knowledge of the cricket ecosystem along with event management and strategic communication skills has made her an integral part of the PCB.

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Hijab Zahid's Return Brings Stability and Fresh Plans for PSL

This reappointment is timely for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which is in the process of structural reforms and looking to revive its domestic and international cricket structure. With the PSL seeking to capitalize on recent achievements and increase its brand value, Hijab's return provides leadership continuity and institutional memory that should be critical to planning and implementation processes in the future.

Sources familiar with the PCB indicate that Hijab's new term would see more focus on digital innovation, overseas partnerships, and a new brand approach for the PSL. There is also speculation building that the league could look to new grounds and formats in upcoming seasons, changes that would most likely come under her strategic umbrella.

With the upcoming season of the PSL already on the drawing board, Hijab Zahid's firm hand and tested leadership may be crucial to making sure that the league keeps improving in standing and keeps pace with other international T20 competitions. Her comeback is a clear indication of the PCB's desire to blend experience with forward-thinking in charting the future of the PSL.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is on the verge of being left out of the inaugural World Clubs T20 Championship, a highly anticipated global tournament set to launch next year with backing from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its chairman Jay Shah. The exclusion has sparked widespread criticism, with many blaming the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for a major oversight.

According to inside sources, the PSL champions likely contenders such as Lahore Qalandars or Multan Sultans will not be invited to participate in the event after PCB failed to attend a key planning meeting held on the sidelines of the Cricket Connect Summit in London. The meeting was hosted by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and included CEOs of major T20 leagues like the BBL, SA20, CPL, The Hundred, ILT20, and MLC.

“The PCB was invited to send the CEO of PSL to the meeting, but no one showed up,” a source revealed. This absence reportedly hurt Pakistan’s position in discussions surrounding the event's format, schedule, and long-term vision. The inaugural edition is expected to feature five teams excluding IPL franchises for now, despite the BCCI’s backing, and mirror the model of the defunct Champions League T20.

ALSO SEE: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: Fixtures, Venues, and Key Clashes Announced

PSL Faces Global Exclusion Amid Saudi League Pressure

While Saudi Arabia’s proposed $400 million cricket league looms large in the background, the World Clubs Championship appears to be a counter-move, fast-tracked to establish a unified global franchise competition before Saudi plans materialize.

In the meantime, Pakistan is experiencing internal strife. Ali Tareen, the owner of the Multan Sultans, has publicly criticized the PCB for making "misleading" statements regarding PSL 10, pointing to problems with viewership, attendance, and poor management.

With the global T20 schedule changing quickly and Pakistan's cricket ecosystem coming under more scrutiny, this latest omission could be a serious blow to the PSL's reputation abroad.

Pakistan Super League (PSL) will have a drastic transformation in its 11th season, which will be held in 2026.  PSL 11 will once again clash with the Indian Premier League (IPL), and this will send a few eyebrows into a flutter in the world of international cricket.

The PCB seems keen to adhere to its March-May timeline irrespective of ongoing talks regarding avoiding scheduling clashes with the IPL. The two major leagues will again clash this year, which may create problems regarding international player availability and broadcasting commitments.

But the PSL is not giving up. It is gearing up for its best season so far, with plans to take the competition to eight franchises. Two more franchises will take the competition and viewer interest to the next level, and also offer opportunities for new local players to emerge.

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PSL 11 to have extra teams, venues, and matches as PCB is looking to make big expansion despite conflict with IPL

The competition will also see an increase in matches and venues. PSL 11 will be played in more cities across Pakistan, with Peshawar and Quetta being among the cities expected to be competing to host the matches, something aimed at taking world-class cricket to the less-represented regions. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is also weighing the neutral venue option, specifically in the UAE or other cricketing-friendly countries, to manage logistics and weather risk.

The expansion decision by the PSL comes after its consolidation at the international level of the T20 league. With eight franchises now, enthusiasts can look forward to much more thrilling cricket in the league that is famous for powerful bowling attacks and closely contested matches.

PSL 11 will be a landmark season because of these events, both for Pakistani cricket and the league's reputation globally. Only time will tell if it will be able to compete in an IPL match, but whatever happens, one thing is certain: 2026 will be a big year.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released whopping digital viewership figures for the concluded Pakistan Super League Season 10 (PSL X), highlighting the competition's explosive growth and increasing global digital presence.

In debrief sessions with franchises, the PCB unveiled that PSL X saw a huge 647.25% rise in consumption of live streaming over PSL 9. This staggering growth points towards a significant change in the consumption of cricket in Pakistan, with the audience quickly adopting digital platforms to remain connected with their teams and the action, regardless of where they are.

The total viewership on live streaming sites hit a staggering 48.5 billion cumulative minutes, which highlights the tournament's power to hold a large and diverse digitally inclined fan base. The largest surge occurred at the end of the business part of the competition, the final and playoffs, where live streaming originating from within Pakistan alone had 511 million views, an all-time record in the league's history.

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PSL X Represents a Digital Milestone for Cricket in Pakistan

These statistics do more than simply indicate fan passion; they represent a change. Pakistan's cricket fanbase is no longer glued to the television. Smartphones, fast internet, and streaming applications have unlocked new avenues of fan activity and provided the PCB new ways of expanding the PSL brand.

For PCB and PSL stakeholders, this digital boom could not have arrived at a more opportune moment. As negotiations for media rights and sponsorships loom ahead, these viewership numbers provide strong bargaining chips.

Above all, PSL X's record-breaking success demonstrates that Pakistan's largest sporting spectacle is now poised for the next level of international growth, enhanced fan engagement, and sustained year-round digital connect. With the dust settling on Season 10, certainly, PSL X didn't merely entertain; it redefined the Pakistani digital sports universe.

In a major development for global T20 cricket, reports indicate that the long-defunct Champions League T20 is on track to make a grand return. The Cricketer has reported that the tournament has plans to relaunch in 2026, under a new name—the World Club Championship. The revamped competition aims to bring together top-performing T20 teams from around the world in a new, exciting format.

The new tournament will have a similar structure to the original tournament, Champions League T20 with champions of premier domestic T20 leagues like the IPL, BBL, PSL, SA20 and The Hundred participating. While specific details such as the number of participating teams are still under discussion, reports suggest that the ECB is likely to propose that winners of The Hundred participate instead of those from the Vitality Blast. The initiative has already gained traction, receiving backing from both the BCCI and ECB, with ICC Chairman Jay Shah reportedly giving the green light.

"That is on the cards. Without a doubt, at some point, there will be a World Club Championship for both men and women. That's the next logical step," said ECB’s Richard Gould, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo. The idea is to create a true global club championship that mirrors the prestige and competition level of football’s UEFA Champions League.

The Rise, Fall, and Revival of CLT20

The Champions League T20 tournament was launched in 2009 and was held annually until 2014. Although it was scheduled for its sixth tournament in 2015, the tournament was cancelled due to poor viewership and lack of a dedicated sponsor. It featured Tier 1 teams from four leagues, with IPL teams the most represented, often with three IPL teams qualifying. Notably, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians were the most successful franchises, each winning the tournament twice.

🚨 Champions League T20 set to be revived as World Club Championship from 2026 with teams from #IPL, 100 & #BBL participating (as per The Cricketer)

Another report says that Jay Shah's ICC has given its backing too (as per Cricxtasy)

Used to pray for such times😭 #CLT20 #GSLT20 pic.twitter.com/P5z5AmorNC

— t20 and nations (@t20andnations) July 1, 2025

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The revival comes at a time when T20 leagues have flourished globally, providing a perfect setting for a truly competitive club championship. With more leagues and higher global interest in franchise cricket, the World Club Championship could finally deliver on the promise of an international platform for domestic T20 champions—potentially becoming cricket’s version of the football Champions League.

ECB Looks at Bringing Back Global T20 Club Tournament

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is thinking about starting a new World Club Championship for T20 cricket. It’s been over ten years since the last Champions League T20 (CLT20) was held. The CLT20 ran from 2009 to 2014. Its final match was in Bengaluru in 2014, where Chennai Super Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders. The tournament stopped because not enough people were interested, and it didn’t make enough money.

Since then, many countries have started their own T20 leagues. England has The Hundred, South Africa has the SA20, the UAE has the ILT20, and the United States has the MLC. In other sports, too, club tournaments are growing. Football’s FIFA Club World Cup is getting a new format, and rugby is planning its own Club World Cup. ECB chief executive Richard Gould said they’re very interested in creating a tournament like the old CLT20.

🚨 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 🚨

- CLT20 is set to return as the World Club Championship in 2026. 🤯

- ECB and ICC Chairman Jay Shah and BCCI are actively working on the idea. [𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐠]

MASSIVE GOOD NEWS FOR CRICKET LOVERS..! 😍 pic.twitter.com/NSpEWVhI39

— Pratyush Halder (@pratyush_no7) July 1, 2025

“That is on the cards,” Gould told ESPNcricinfo. “Without doubt, at some point, there will be a World Club Championship for both men and women. That’s the next logical step.” Gould also said the old CLT20 was a good idea but came too early. “That tournament was ahead of its time,” he said. “Commercially, it couldn’t keep up with expectations, but it was a really good event.”

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For this new World Club Championship to work, most of the IPL teams would need to support it. Many IPL owners already have teams in other countries. IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal has said that the BCCI might support the idea if it can bring real value to the game.

The 2026 edition of the PSL will once again face scheduling constraints when it holds its 11th edition in the same April-May timeframe, which again clashes with the Indian Premier League. The ICC T20 World Cup is scheduled in that February-March window, and the Pakistan Cricket Board has no other option but to look for alternative windows for holding the tournament.

A December-January PSL proposal was debated, but now seems unrealistic owing to unfinished logistical and operational problems. The PCB can, however, stage the local Pentangular Cup during this time, with top cricketers to ensure competitive levels.

Another complication is the PCB's reorganization of the PSL as a standalone company, still in progress. Salman Naseer has been entrusted with the role of CEO, but other positions remain vacant, which is slowing down important decisions. Valuations of franchises are under uncertainty, as the fees have been hiked up by 25%. The future of Multan Sultans also remains uncertain, because owner Ali Tareen raised an eyebrow regarding the financial losses his franchise incurs over more than PKR 1 billion a year in fees.

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Franchise Uncertainty and Scheduling Clashes Cloud PSL 11 Planning

Expansion plans to increase the league from six to eight teams are also stuck, with franchises saying they have not been spoken to about new business models. In contrast, big commercial deals such as title sponsorship, broadcasting, live streaming, and ground rights are up for renewal. With 54 matches anticipated in an increased league structure, these contracts could see a rise in value by 30%.

Pakistan’s packed international calendar complicates matters further. In November 2025, they host Sri Lanka, followed by domestic competitions in December and January. Australia tours in February and March, and Pakistan will tour Bangladesh in late March and April. Zimbabwe’s scheduled visit in April-May will likely need rescheduling if the PSL takes place during that window.

Franchise fears of colliding with the IPL have eased, but broadcasters are still wary. All six franchises have asked for a PSL Governing Council meeting to discuss these matters, with an answer in the offing. To date, the ultimate decision regarding the schedule of PSL 11 is still pending among various moving parts.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) released its Team of the Tournament for the historic tenth edition, with some of the big guns cutting a thrilling month-and-a-half of cricket. Some of the most significant inclusions include Karachi Kings captain David Warner, while biggies Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have missed the cut to everyone's shock.

The 12-man team, chosen by members of the official commentary panel, is headed by Lahore Qalandars' Shaheen Shah Afridi, who topped a runaway season by leading his team to their third PSL crown in four years. The left-arm pacer was also the tournament-leading wicket-taker, taking 19 wickets in 13 games, and was handed over the Fazal Mahmood Cap. Afridi is joined by Qalandars teammates Fakhar Zaman, who scored 439 runs with four half-centuries, and all-rounder Sikandar Raza, who made key contributions with both bat (254 runs) and ball (10 wickets).

Balanced picks dominate as Babar, Rizwan miss out on PSL 10 XI

Islamabad United’s Sahibzada Farhan, the recipient of the Hanif Mohammad Cap as the tournament's top scorer with 449 runs, is the designated wicketkeeper of the squad. Karachi Kings are represented well with three players: Warner (368 runs), James Vince (378 runs with a century), and pacer Hasan Ali, who took 17 wickets in only 10 games. Khushdil Shah, who scored 253 runs and took seven wickets, was declared the 12th man.

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Quetta Gladiators also boast a trio of representatives. Promising opener Hasan Nawaz became the Best Batter of the Tournament with 399 runs, including one hundred and three half-centuries. He is accompanied by seasoned all-rounder Faheem Ashraf (163 runs and 17 wickets) and spinner Abrar Ahmed (17 wickets in 12 games). Emerging fast bowler Ali Raza of Peshawar Zalmi completes the XI, after a breakout season when he picked 12 wickets in nine matches.

Whereas the choices to a large extent mirror statistical showings, the exclusion of Babar Azam (288 runs) and Mohammad Rizwan (367 runs) has left fans and commentators scratching their heads. Yet, the commentary panel has seemingly placed greater value on match-winning performances and influence than on reputation.

PSL 10 Team of the Tournament

• Fakhar Zaman (Lahore Qalandars)
• Sahibzada Farhan (Islamabad United) – Wicketkeeper
• David Warner (Karachi Kings)
• James Vince (Karachi Kings)
• Hasan Nawaz (Quetta Gladiators)
• Sikandar Raza (Lahore Qalandars)
• Faheem Ashraf (Quetta Gladiators)
• Shaheen Shah Afridi (Lahore Qalandars) – Captain
• Hasan Ali (Karachi Kings)
• Ali Raza (Peshawar Zalmi) – Emerging Player
• Abrar Ahmed (Quetta Gladiators)
• Khushdil Shah (Karachi Kings) – 12th Man

The season of PSL 10, played over Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi between April 11 and May 25, ended with the defeat of Quetta Gladiators by six wickets at the hands of Lahore Qalandars in a nail-biting final at the Gaddafi Stadium.

The Final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 will take place on May 25, 2025, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore at 7:30 PM IST between Quetta Gladiators (QUE) and Lahore Qalandars (LAH). QUE will look for their second PSL Title and first since 2019, backed by a strong batting lineup and some very disciplined bowling. LAH comes into the final with two PSL titles in their last two tournaments, and they are halting their efforts for a third title with recent form and with the support of their local crowd driven by Fakhar Zaman's 309 runs in the postseason. The Gaddafi pitch has always traditionally favored batting, with the potential for a score like that turning up early with assistance to pacers in the early overs helping teams at the toss. It should be an entertaining finish to PSL 10 with playoff-worthy batting on both sides and a quality bowling showcase.

Head-to-Head Record

• Total Matches: 19
• QUE Wins: 9
• LAH Wins: 9
• No Result: 1
• Win %: The rivalry is evenly poised, with both QUE and LAH securing 9 wins each in 19 matches, setting up an intense final showdown.

Key Matches: QUE vs LAH

PSL 2025, match 4 - April 13, Rawalpindi

• Lahore Qalandars: 219/6 in 20 overs.
• Quetta Gladiators: 140/10 in 16.2 overs.
• Result: Lahore Qalandars won by 79 runs.

LAH put up a huge 219, led by an innings of 67 from Fakhar Zaman off just 39 balls, and, unbeaten, Sam Billings scored a flurry of 50 off 19 balls. QUE's chase had a disastrous start at 9/3, before Shaheen Afridi (2/6) and Rishad Hossain (3/31) ran through their batting order. Faheem Ashraf's 21 was not enough, and Asif Afridi finished the game off.

PSL 2025, match 21 - May 1, Lahore 

• Lahore Qalandars: 111/3 in 11.3 overs.
• Quetta Gladiators: no result due to rain.
• Result: match abandoned.

LAH was off to a flying start with an opening partnership of 102 between Mohammad Naeem (50 off 30) and Abdullah Shafique (53* off 34) before a dust storm followed by heavy rain ended play after 11.3 overs. QUE captain Saud Shakeel's decision to field first backfired as LAH batsmen made the most of QUE's bowlers, but unfortunately, due to the poor drainage, this match has ended in no result. 

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PSL 2024, Match 28 - March 12, Karachi 

• Quetta Gladiators: 166/4 in 20 overs
• Lahore Qalandars: 162/7 in 20 overs
• Result: Quetta Gladiators Won by 4 Runs

QUE set a paragraph-worthy 166 with 52 on top from Saud Shakeel and 45 from Jason Roy. LAH got themselves into the game with Fakhar Zaman leading their chase with 54, but were left chasing with Mohammad Amir's final over, as he picked up 2/25, and congratulated Abrar Ahmed’s key wicket to Sikandar Raza (2/28).

PSL 2023, match 18 - March 2, Lahore

• Quetta Gladiators: 148/7 in 20 overs.
• Lahore Qalandars: 149/3 in 17.4 overs.
• Result: LQ won by 7 wickets. 

QUE only managed 148, with Jason Roy's 48 innings providing some stability, but LAH made light work of the chase, led by an unbeaten 68 off 43 from Abdullah Shafique. Haris Rauf's (3/22) bowling ensured QUE's total would be a comfortable chase for LAH.