PSL 2026 Revised Groups Confirmed, Updated Group Stage Format for PSL 11
PSL 2026 groups have been officially revised following the schedule changes announced by the PCB. With matches now consolidated to Lahore and Karachi only, the group stage format has been restructured and both groups now look completely different from the original draw. PSL 2026 begins on March 26 and every team now knows exactly who they face in the group stage.
Here are the updated groups for PSL 11.
PSL 2026 Revised Groups
| Group 1 | Group 2 |
|---|---|
| Peshawar Zalmi | Rawalpindi Pindiz |
| Quetta Gladiators | Islamabad United |
| Karachi Kings | Hyderabad Kingsmen |
| Lahore Qalandars | Multan Sultans |
Both groups are balanced with four teams each. The top four from across both groups will advance to the playoffs, which consist of the Qualifier, Eliminator 1, Eliminator 2 and the Final.
Group 1 Breakdown
Group 1 is loaded with PSL royalty. Three of the four teams in this group have won the PSL title before.
| Team | PSL Titles | Captain |
|---|---|---|
| Lahore Qalandars | 2 | Shaheen Shah Afridi |
| Karachi Kings | 1 | Salman Agha |
| Quetta Gladiators | 2 | Saud Shakeel |
| Peshawar Zalmi | 1 | Babar Azam |
This is a brutal group. Lahore vs Karachi is always a blockbuster. Babar Azam’s Peshawar against Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Lahore is a headline clash. And Quetta with Rilee Rossouw in their batting lineup are dangerous on any surface.
Every single team in Group 1 has the squad depth to make the playoffs. The margins between first and fourth place could be razor thin.
Check the Lahore Qalandars squad to see the full depth Shaheen’s side has going into the group stage.
Group 2 Breakdown
Group 2 has the two brand new franchises alongside two of the most successful PSL sides of recent years.
| Team | PSL Titles | Captain |
|---|---|---|
| Islamabad United | 3 | Shadab Khan |
| Multan Sultans | 2 | Mohammad Rizwan |
| Rawalpindi Pindiz | 0, Debut | Mohammad Rizwan |
| Hyderabad Kingsmen | 0, Debut | TBC |
Wait, two Mohammad Rizwans? Not exactly. Multan Sultans are captained by Rizwan while Rawalpindi Pindiz also have Rizwan as captain. They are the same person. Pindiz is Rizwan’s team this season after moving from Multan in the trade window.
Islamabad United with three titles remain the benchmark in this group. Multan Sultans under new leadership will want to prove they are still a force. And both Pindiz and Hyderabad Kingsmen are desperate to make a statement in their debut season.
Group 2 also has the fascinating storyline of Glenn Maxwell joining Hyderabad Kingsmen for the second half of the tournament, which could change their trajectory completely once he arrives.
Why Were the Groups Revised
The original group structure was built around a six-venue format spread across Pakistan. When PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that PSL 2026 would be played without spectators and limited to Lahore and Karachi only, the fixture list and group assignments had to be reworked completely.
The revised groups reflect the new logistical reality of running all 40 group stage matches across just two venues. It also means every team faces a tighter travel schedule and back-to-back matches at the same ground rather than moving city to city.
Playoff Picture Under the Revised Format
The top four teams overall advance to the playoffs regardless of which group they are in. Here is how the playoffs are structured:
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifier | April 28 | Karachi |
| Eliminator 1 | April 29 | Lahore |
| Eliminator 2 | May 1 | Lahore |
| Final | May 3 | Lahore |
Keep track of every team’s progress on the PSL 2026 points table once the action gets underway from March 26.
FAQs
What are the revised PSL 2026 groups? Group 1 has Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars. Group 2 has Rawalpindi Pindiz, Islamabad United, Hyderabad Kingsmen and Multan Sultans.
Why were PSL 2026 groups changed? The groups were revised following the PCB’s decision to consolidate all matches to Lahore and Karachi only, which required a full restructuring of the fixture list and group assignments.
How many teams qualify for the PSL 2026 playoffs? The top four teams from across both groups qualify for the playoffs, which include the Qualifier, Eliminator 1, Eliminator 2 and the Final.
Which group has the toughest teams in PSL 2026? Group 1 features four title-winning franchises including Lahore Qalandars, Quetta Gladiators, Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi, making it arguably the tougher group on paper.
When does the PSL 2026 group stage end? The group stage runs from March 26 to April 26, 2026.
Where are PSL 2026 matches being played? All PSL 2026 matches are being held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi following the revised PCB announcement.
