The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium will serve as one of the venues for upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches, marking the first time the tournament will extend to the region.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi made the announcement during the league’s promotional roadshow at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. He said the board had formally begun preparations to bring PSL fixtures to Muzaffarabad and pledged to upgrade the stadium to meet top-tier playing and broadcast standards.
Venue Upgrade and Facilities
Naqvi said the PCB would “develop the Muzaffarabad cricket stadium in the best possible way,” emphasising that the city already has the required infrastructure to host international players, including multiple five-star hotel options.
He added that the move goes beyond PSL expansion, noting that AJK is also being considered for hosting international matches once the venue meets full compliance.
Number of Matches Yet to Be Confirmed
While the PCB chairman confirmed the venue’s inclusion, he stopped short of announcing how many PSL fixtures will be staged in Muzaffarabad. The decision is expected once the stadium’s upgrade plan is finalised.
PSL Expansion Set for Next Season
The PSL, launched in 2016 with five franchises, is preparing for a major shakeup next year. Two new teams will join the tournament in its 11th edition, increasing the total number of franchises to eight — the league’s first major expansion in seven years.
The addition of Muzaffarabad as a venue, combined with the introduction of new teams, signals a significant push toward expanding cricket’s footprint across Pakistan and AJK.
