PSL 11 to feature first-ever player auction, PCB confirms major overhaul
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday announced a major structural overhaul of the Pakistan Super League, confirming that PSL 11 will feature a player auction for the first time, replacing the traditional player draft system ahead of the upcoming season.
In a statement, the PCB said that after a decade of success, the HBL Pakistan Super League will transition to a Player Auction Model, describing the move as historic and aimed at strengthening the league’s competitive and commercial framework.
“This strategic shift is aimed at enhancing competitive balance, increasing transparency, and providing players with greater earning opportunities,” the board said.
Under the revised framework for the PSL 11 player auction, each franchise will be allowed to retain a maximum of four players, with only one retention permitted in each category. This represents a significant departure from previous seasons, where teams could retain up to eight players along with additional provisions such as mentors, brand ambassadors, and the Right to Match (RTM) option.
For the upcoming season, the PCB has abolished the mentor, brand ambassador and RTM clauses entirely, streamlining the squad-building process ahead of the auction.
Special provisions have also been introduced for the two newly inducted franchises, Hyderabad and Sialkot. Both teams will be permitted to select and retain four players from the available pool prior to the player auction, allowing them to build a competitive core ahead of their debut season.
In another major development, each franchise will be allowed one direct signing of a foreign player who did not feature in PSL 10. The move is aimed at injecting fresh international talent into the league and enhancing its global appeal.
The PCB further confirmed that the player salary purse has been increased to USD 1.6 million per franchise, underlining the league’s intent to remain commercially attractive while offering improved financial rewards to both domestic and overseas cricketers.
According to the board, the introduction of the PSL 11 player auction reflects the league’s evolving vision as it seeks to strengthen its global standing, boost fan engagement, and set new benchmarks in franchise cricket.
The PCB has already announced that PSL 11 will begin on March 26, 2026, and will mark Faisalabad’s first-ever appearance as a host city. Matches will be played across Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, and Faisalabad, expanding the tournament to five venues nationwide.
