PCB sets February 11 date for PSL player auction after consultative workshop

By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday held a detailed workshop at Gaddafi Stadium to brief franchises and players on the mechanics of the upcoming HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) player auction, with officials confirming the auction will take place on February 11.
The session was chaired by the PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and HBL PSL Chief Executive Salman Naseer and was attended by representatives of all eight franchises, PSL officials, members of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad, capped players and PCB officials.
Among the players present were the league’s leading run-scorers Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, and top wicket-takers Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
The PSL management delivered a comprehensive presentation outlining the retention framework and auction process, seeking feedback from franchises and players. Officials said the discussions were consultative, with players actively engaging on various aspects of the new auction model.
It was confirmed that all base prices and bidding increments will be conducted in Pakistani rupees. The top base price brackets were set at Rs 4.2 crore, Rs 2.2 crore, Rs 1.1 crore and Rs 60 lakh.
Minimum incremental bids were fixed at Rs 250,000 for bids below Rs 1.1 crore, Rs 500,000 for bids below Rs 2.2 crore, Rs 1 million for bids below Rs 4.2 crore, and Rs 1.5 million for bids above Rs 4.2 crore. Franchises will be allowed to bid higher than the prescribed minimum increments.
Each franchise will be required to have a squad of between 16 and 20 players, with five to seven overseas players depending on squad size. Teams must field a minimum of three and a maximum of four foreign players in their playing XI.
Franchises must also include at least two uncapped Under-23 players in their squad, with a minimum of one required to feature in the playing XI.
Players retained or selected in the PSL 11 auction will be contracted for two years. After PSL 11, franchises will be able to retain up to seven players for the 12th edition. Following PSL 12, a grand auction will be held, with franchises permitted a maximum of five retentions, while all released players will return to the auction pool.
Franchises will also have the option to directly sign one foreign player for PSL 11 who did not feature in PSL 10. The standard franchise purse of PKR 45 crore may be extended to PKR 50.5 crore to accommodate such signings, with the PCB contributing towards the recruitment of elite overseas players.
Naqvi said the workshop marked an important step for the league’s future.
“I’m delighted that a consultative and productive session was held between the franchises, players and management, resulting in informed and strategic decisions which will pave the way for a bright future for the HBL PSL,” Naqvi said.
He added that the auction model would enhance transparency and competitiveness while improving financial opportunities for players.
PSL chief executive Naseer described the shift as the start of a new era for the league.
“The player auction system modernises recruitment by promoting fairness, transparency and market-driven value,” Naseer said. “The feedback received today will be reflected in the execution of a successful player auction scheduled next month.”