Forget the “Big Apple”, recently New York’s Times Square belonged to the Green Shirts. In a high-stakes play for global dominance, the HBL PSL (Pakistan Super League) Trophy arrived at the “Center of the Universe” on a double-decker bus draped in the national flag, signaling a new, aggressive era for Pakistan’s favorite sport.
Despite the season’s first snowfall and a bone-chilling freeze, the square was transformed into a sea of green. Thousands of fans gathered to chant “Pakistan Zindabad” as the trophy gleamed under the world’s most famous neon billboards.
Defying the Freeze: The Stars Align
This wasn’t just a trophy tour; it was a star-studded invasion. Wrapped in woolies to fight the NYC cold, some of the biggest names in cricket history and current stars stepped off the bus to meet the diaspora. The “Sultan of Swing” Wasim Akram and the “Voice of Cricket” Ramiz Raja led the charge, proving their star power remains unmatched.
T20I captain Salman Ali Agha, alongside Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Abrar Ahmed, and Saud Shakeel, spent hours signing autographs and taking selfies with fans who had waited in the snow. Even Ali Zafar joined the mix, adding a touch of rockstar energy to the freezing Manhattan night.
The “Expansion” Masterstroke
While the fans were there for the selfies, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was there for the business. During this landmark New York Roadshow, the PCB dropped three major bombshells that will change the face of the league. The PSL is officially outgrowing its skin. The board confirmed plans to expand from six to eight franchises, with the auction for the two new teams set for January 8, 2026. Mark your calendars, the next season is officially slated to run from March 26 to May 3, 2026.
Furthermore, in a move for regional inclusivity, the PCB has taken over the Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium and is racing to renovate it in time for the new season.
“HBL PSL road show in NY”
Bidding on two new teams for 2026 season.#HBLPSL #drimransharief #mohsinnaqvi #WaseemAkram #UNAmbassadorPakistan #Asimiftkhar #AmbassadorRizwansaeed #Ramizraja #Pakistancricketteam pic.twitter.com/7n6dUgujYt— Imran Sharief (@imsharief1) December 16, 2025
Beyond the Boundary
By taking the trophy to Times Square, the PSL has sent a clear message to the world’s sporting markets: Pakistan cricket is a global brand. The event successfully tapped into the massive North American diaspora and captured the attention of international investors from the US and the Middle East.
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As the slogans of “Times Square Pakistan” echoed between the skyscrapers, it became clear that the PSL is no longer just a national tournament, it’s a global phenomenon that can heat up even the coldest New York night.
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