BeNewz
Related Articles
Abdullah Zahid
LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set to enter a groundbreaking new era with its first-ever open player auction for Season 11, scheduled for February 11, 2026. Unlike previous seasons that relied on drafts, this auction will be conducted entirely in Pakistani rupees, marking a significant shift in the league’s player acquisition model.
The announcement came during a high-profile workshop held at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, attended by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer, representatives from all six franchises, and senior PSL management. The session finalized key auction rules, base prices, retention policies, and budget structures.
Base prices for the auction categories have been set as follows:
- Top/platinum category: Rs 4.20 crore
- Second category: Rs 2.20 crore
- Third category: Rs 1.10 crore
- Fourth category: Rs 60 lakh
Franchises will be allowed to retain a maximum of five players ahead of the auction. In addition, each team can directly sign one overseas player outside the auction process. The base purse for every franchise has been fixed at Rs 45 crore. With the inclusion of the direct overseas signing, teams can increase their effective budget up to Rs 50.50 crore.
A major highlight of the new format is the introduction of “Pick Your Ten” – a group of 10 selected players who will sign two-year contracts with their respective franchises. This mechanism aims to provide long-term stability to core squads while still allowing teams flexibility through the open market.
Speaking at the workshop, PSL CEO Salman Naseer described the development as the beginning of a transformative phase for the league. “After years of anticipation, the new era of PSL has finally arrived,” he said. “This grand auction is a historic step forward. Following Season 12, we plan to hold even larger and more comprehensive auctions.”
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi termed the meeting highly productive and expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation among stakeholders. “The discussions between franchises, players’ representatives, and management were very positive,” he noted. “Introducing the auction model is a landmark moment that will significantly elevate the stature and competitiveness of the Pakistan Super League.”
The move to an auction system is expected to bring greater transparency, increased competition for top talent, and better financial discipline among franchises. It also opens the door for a wider pool of domestic and international players to participate, potentially raising the overall quality of the tournament.
Further details, including the final list of players entering the auction pool, eligibility criteria, and the exact date and venue of the auction event, will be released in the coming weeks. The PSL governing council emphasized that this change reflects the league’s maturity and its ambition to align with global T20 standards while remaining rooted in Pakistan’s economic reality.
With Season 11 already generating excitement, all eyes are now on February 11, when the future squads of Lahore Qalandars, Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators will begin to take shape in what promises to be one of the most anticipated days in Pakistani franchise cricket history.
