PSL to switch to player auction model from 2026 season

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set for a major structural overhaul from its 11th season, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirming a shift from the long-standing player draft system to a Player Auction model. The change, announced on Monday, marks one of the most significant reforms in the league’s history.

In a statement, the PCB said the move is part of a broader strategy to modernise the league and provide players with greater earning opportunities while ensuring a more balanced playing field for franchises.

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“These progressive measures reflect the League’s strategic trajectory and evolution, while remaining firmly rooted in its mission to promote cricketing excellence, fan engagement, and attaining unprecedented heights,” the PCB said.

Under the new framework, each franchise will be allowed to retain a maximum of four players, with the restriction that only one player can be retained from each category. This is a significant reduction from the previous system, where teams could retain up to eight players from their squads, along with additional provisions such as mentors, brand ambassadors and a Right to Match (RTM) option to retain a ninth player. For PSL 11, the concepts of mentors, brand ambassadors and RTM have been completely removed.

The PCB has also made provisions for expansion. Newly inducted teams will be permitted to select and retain four players from the available player pool ahead of the auction, allowing them a degree of stability as they build competitive squads.

To further enhance squad quality and global appeal, franchises will be allowed one direct signing of a foreign player who did not feature in PSL 10. This rule is designed to encourage teams to bring in fresh international talent and diversify their rosters.

Another major development is the increase in the player salary purse. Each franchise will now operate with a total purse of USD 1.6 million, an upward revision that underlines the PCB’s intent to make the PSL more lucrative and attractive for both local and overseas players. While the PCB has yet to release detailed guidelines on the auction process, it confirmed that further information regarding the auction mechanics, timelines and operational rules will be shared in due course.

PSL 11 is scheduled to begin on March 26 and will also see an expansion in venues. Faisalabad has been added as an additional host city, joining the existing centres.