The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is taking a historic step with its 11th season, introducing a player auction model for the first time. Inspired by the Indian Premier League (IPL), this new system replaces the traditional player draft used in PSL’s previous ten seasons. The move aims to increase competitiveness, transparency, and earning opportunities for players.
This change also reflects PSL’s growing maturity as a league and its ambition to attract top local and international talent.
From Player Draft to Player Auction: What’s New?
For the first 10 seasons, PSL teams selected players through a draft system, where teams could pick players according to a pre-set order. While this system ensured some balance, it limited player earnings and did not fully reward top talent.
Now, PSL has introduced a player auction model where:
- Players have a base price: Teams bid on players starting from their base price.
- Top talent earns more: Strong performance and reputation can increase player bids, allowing players to earn higher salaries.
- Transparent system: Franchises compete openly for players, removing ambiguity and unfair advantages.
Key Changes in PSL 11 Auction Model
1. Limited Retained Players
Franchises can now retain up to four players only, down from eight in previous seasons. Retained players are categorized into Platinum, Diamond, Gold, and Silver, ensuring better squad balance and fair bidding.
2. Removal of Old Rules
Mentors and brand ambassadors: Previously, teams could assign a star player as a mentor or brand ambassador, earning them extra money outside the player salary. This rule has been removed.
Right-to-match (RTM) rule: Under RTM, if a team released a player, they could match the highest bid to get the player back. This is no longer part of PSL, ensuring a fairer auction process.
3. Benefits for New Teams
New franchises entering PSL 11 can select four players from the available pool before the auction. This helps them build competitive squads quickly and ensures they are not disadvantaged compared to older teams.
4. Direct Signings of Foreign Players
Franchises can directly sign foreign players who did not participate in PSL 10. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will set fees for these players. This opens doors for new international stars to join PSL and enhances league appeal.
5. Increased Budget for Teams
- Old budget: $1.1 million per team
- New budget: $1.6 million per team
This significant increase in budgets will allow franchises to invest in top talent and attract high-profile players from other T20 leagues, especially the IPL.
Why the Change Matters
This new model addresses several criticisms of past PSL seasons:
- Attracting bigger names: Top international players often preferred IPL due to higher pay. The auction model and bigger budgets aim to change this trend.
- Fair competition: Removal of RTM and ambassador rules ensures all franchises compete on equal terms.
- Better earnings for players: Players can now earn according to their market value, talent, and demand.
Community and Expert Reactions
- Rashid Latif, former Pakistan captain, called the move “a positive step” and praised the removal of outdated rules. He explained that past practices, like assigning Platinum players as mentors, disrupted team balance.
- Social media users mostly welcomed the auction but expressed concerns over the $1.6 million budget, saying it is still less than IPL salaries, where a single player can earn more than PSL’s total team budget.
- Fans appreciated Faisalabad as a new venue, though some were disappointed that Peshawar was not included.
PSL 11 Schedule and Teams
- Start Date: March 26, 2026
- Total Teams: 8 (including two new franchises)
- Key Venues: Faisalabad added for the first time
Franchises now have the opportunity to strengthen squads with international talent, making PSL 11 more competitive and exciting than ever before.
Final Thoughts
The PSL 11 player auction model marks a new era for the league. It brings:
- Transparent selection process
- Better earning potential for players
- Opportunities for new local and international talent
- More competitive and entertaining cricket for fans
With these changes, PSL is not only evolving as a premier T20 league in Pakistan but is also positioning itself to compete with global leagues like IPL.