Now a big and unexpected development is coming out from the Middle East, which has now caught everyone’s attention. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is now planning something big beyond its home country in Saudi Arabia, where interest in the game is growing rapidly.
The Pakistan Cricket Board is already in the headlines for taking some interesting or shocking decisions, like selecting uncapped youngsters for the Bangladesh tour and banning several foreign stars from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) due to alleged contract breaking.
Pakistan Super League ready for new home? PCB took a big step
And this latest step is also regarding Pakistan Super League. The PCB has reportedly taken the final decision to move its league to Saudi Arabia amid the ongoing PSL 2026.
After testing success in UAE, cricket fans in the Middle East can also watch PSL matches in Saudi Arabia.
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According to a report by senior Pakistani journalist Salim Khaliq, the PCB is all set to build a new cricket stadium in Jeddah, and the venue will host Pakistan Super League matches in the future.
🚨 Saudi Arabia to host PSL 🚨
– PCB will build a cricket stadium in Saudi Arabia.
– This stadium will host PSL matches in the future. (Salim Khaliq) pic.twitter.com/KmhzRQSXjP
– Sherry. (@CallMeSheri1_) 21 April 2026
Pakistan Cricket Board signs EOI with Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation
Recently, the Pakistan Cricket Board has approved the Expression of Interest (EOI) to work with the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) to develop a stadium in Jeddah. The decision was taken at a board meeting in Lahore, where officials discussed how to expand cricket outside Pakistan.
However, this historic move was not sudden. In December 2024, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi visited Saudi Arabia and met Prince Saud bin Mishaal Al-Saud. During that meeting, Pakistan clearly showed interest in helping Saudi Arabia build cricket grounds and develop the sport in the country.
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Millions of people from India and Pakistan live in Saudi Arabia and due to this many local clubs started forming there and the game started reaching different cities. Things became more organized after the establishment of SACF in 2020.
ICC status and IPL auction boosted cricket in Saudi Arabia
Since then, the focus has been on creating proper systems, running local tournaments, and preparing teams for larger competitions in the future. Saudi Arabia also became a member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2003 and later received the associate nation tag in 2016.
Saudi Arabia made big headlines when it hosted the IPL auction in Jeddah in 2024. That event showed that they are now serious about entering the cricket business and global events. Right after the event, the PCB made the most of the opportunity to play its big card.
If the plan goes ahead smoothly, Saudi Arabia could soon become a new hub of cricket, and fans could see big matches taking place there in the coming years. Currently, PSL 2026 is going on in full flow, and 32 matches have already been played across two venues in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan national cricket team is preparing to travel to Bangladesh next month for a two-match Test series, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).
