The PSL 2026 league campaign is now entering its business end. Here’s what each team needs to qualify for the playoffs.
PSL 2026 points table as of April 24, 2026
Before Hyderabad Kingsmen vs Islamabad United*
As of Friday, Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans have already qualified for the playoffs, while Rawalpindiz have been knocked out. The other five sides, Islamabad United, Hyderabad Kingsmen, Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings, are now contesting for the remaining two playoff spots.
| Team | Status | M | W | L | T | N/R | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peshawar Zalmi (PZ) | Q | 9 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 17 | +2.645 |
| Multan Sultans (MS) | Q | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | +0.450 |
| Islamabad United (IU) | 8 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | +1.082 | |
| Hyderabad Kingsmen (HHK) | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | -0.367 | |
| Lahore Qalandars (LQ) | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 8 | -0.558 | |
| Karachi Kings (KK) | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 8 | -1.063 | |
| Quetta Gladiators (QG) | 9 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -0.355 | |
| Rawalpindiz (RWP) | E | 9 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1.647 |
Islamabad United
Remaining games: vs HK (April 24), vs MS (April 26)
With two games left to play, Islamabad are in control of their future, and a win in both the remaining matches will see them book a spot in the top two with 13 points. None of the other four teams in the race can get to 13, while Hyderabad can reach a maximum of 12. Even one win in two would get them through, leaving them with 11 points, still enough to take the last playoffs spot at least.
Islamabad could qualify even if they lose both their remaining games, but will have to hope that only one of Karachi, Hyderabad and Lahore get to 10 points. They also play the last game of the league stage against Multan Sultans, and will know the exact requirements to qualify for the playoffs.
Hyderabad Kingsmen
Remaining games: vs IU (April 24), vs RWP (April 26)
Playing their first-ever PSL season, Hyderabad are in a great position to make their first-ever playoffs as well. Wins in both their remaining matches will take them to 12 points, enough to qualify for the knockouts.
Just one win, which would take them to 10 points, could complicate things. Lahore and Karachi could both get to 10 with wins in their respective last games as well, and Hyderabad will then have to hope their net run-rate stays better than that of these two teams. If Kingsmen lose both their remaining matches, they will be eliminated.
Lahore Qalandars
Remaining game: vs PZ (April 25)
The defending champions have an outside chance of finishing in the top four. They not only need to halt the Peshawar Zalmi juggernaut, who have been undefeated so far, but also beat them handsomely to also improve their NRR enough to stay above Hyderabad and Karachi, both of whom can possibly end with 10 points as well.
If only one of Karachi and Hyderabad get to 10 points and Islamabad lose both their remaining games, Lahore can take the fourth spot even with a narrow win over Peshawar. A loss in their last game, however, will knock Lahore Qalandars out of PSL 2026.
Karachi Kings
Remaining game: vs QG (April 25)
Karachi kept their hopes of a playoff spot alive by getting the better of Lahore in their last outing. But their NRR is still the worst among the five teams in top-four contention, so they need a big win in their last league game against Quetta, taking them to 10 points while also significantly improving their NRR.
Moreover, if Karachi win their last match, while Hyderabad and Lahore both fail to bag another point, they would qualify for the playoffs as the fourth-placed side. A loss to Quetta would knock them out.
Quetta Gladiators
Remaining game: vs KK (April 25)
Quetta are seventh and have a very slim chance of staying afloat, but what works in their favour is their healthy net run-rate, better than all three of Hyderabad, Karachi and Lahore.
They will need to beat Karachi handsomely, taking them to eight points, while hoping that Hyderabad and Lahore lose their remaining matches. This will likely keep Quetta’s NRR above these two teams and help them take the last qualifying spot. A loss would see them eliminated.
Image credits: PCB
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