Working Committee Agrees on Auction and Retention Rules
Council’s working committee of The Pakistan Super League (PSL) had a late night meeting. They decided major policies for coming PSL 11 season. According to sources main purpose of the meeting was player auction model and setting rules for franchises for both exiting and new.
The committee reportedly agreed to introduce a player auction for PSL 11. It also finalized retention rules for existing teams. The decisions will now be sent to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi for final approval.
Sources added that if needed, a full governing council meeting may be convened to approve the final formula.
Majority of Teams Support Auction Model
Sources revealed that the majority of franchises voted in favour of the player auction system. The defending champions Lahore Qalandars, Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, and Hyderabad all backed the auction model.
Peshawar Zalmi and the newly added Sialkot franchise also voted in favour of the “drauction” system, a term used to describe the combined draft and auction format.
This marks a significant shift in the league’s player selection process, especially as PSL expands to eight teams for the first time.
Retention Rules Finalised for Existing Teams
It was confirmed that the five existing franchises have agreed on a retention policy. Each team will retain four players. The retained players will be selected one from each category.
However, teams may also move one retained player into a lower category. That player can be designated as a brand ambassador for the franchise.
The new franchises will not retain any players. Instead, they will pick all their remaining players through the auction. Two of the new teams insisted on zero retention.
“The remaining players will be auctioned, and franchises will pick their players in the auction,” sources said.
Auction Timeline and Final Approval
The final retention and auction formula will be submitted to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. An official announcement is expected within the next one to two days.
The PSL auction is likely to take place during the first week of February, sources added. This timing will give teams enough time to prepare before the season begins.
There is also a possibility that including an Emerging category player in the playing XI may not be mandatory in PSL 11.
New Era for PSL with Two New Teams
PSL 11 will begin on March 26. The league will expand from six to eight teams with the addition of franchises from Sialkot and Hyderabad.
Earlier, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi advised franchise owners to increase the player salary cap. He said the league is entering a new era with the addition of two new teams.
Naqvi also encouraged teams to adopt the auction model. He said the rise in franchise market value makes the auction system more beneficial for all stakeholders.
“Conduct an auction of players in the PSL 11 draft and select players of your choice — they will benefit from it,” Naqvi told franchise owners during the meeting.
The PSL 2026 auction, held at the Jinnah Convention Centre on January 8, saw FKS Group and OZ Developers win the rights to the new franchises. The ownership amounts were Rs 1.75 billion and Rs 1.85 billion, respectively.
