KEY POINTS
- League expands to eight teams with new franchises Hyderabad and Sialkot.
- Landmark player auction on Feb 11 replaces traditional draft for first time.
- Squads will feature new rules on foreign players, mandatory uncapped U-23 talent, and direct signing clause.
LAHORE, Pakistan: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has opened registration for overseas players for 11th edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL), which is scheduled to begin on March 26.
The league’s official social media channels announced on Tuesday that registration for overseas players is now active and will remain open until February 3.
This marks the first step towards building squads for what promises to be a ground-breaking season, featuring an expanded format and a new player acquisition system.
New teams, new system
PSL 11 will be historic for two major reasons. First, the league expands from six to eight teams, welcoming new franchises from Hyderabad and Sialkot.
Second, and perhaps more transformative, the traditional draft system has been replaced by a player auction, slated for February 11.
This shift aligns the PSL with major global T20 leagues and introduces a dynamic new element of team-building strategy.
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During an auction workshop, PSL management provided franchises with a comprehensive overview of the retention and auction processes, ensuring all stakeholders are aligned ahead of the landmark event.
Financial framework and squad composition
The PCB has established a clear financial structure for the auction. Player base prices have been set at four tiers: PKR 4.2 crore, PKR 2.2 crore, PKR 1.1 crore, and PKR 60 lakh.
Corresponding minimum bid increments range from PKR 250,000 to PKR 1.5 million, though franchises are permitted to bid higher.
Each squad must comprise 16 to 20 players, including 5 to 7 foreign players. A playing XI must feature 3 to 4 overseas stars.
In a move to foster young talent, teams are also mandated to include at least two uncapped Pakistani players under the age of 23 in their squad, with one required in the final playing lineup.
Future retention policy
Players secured for PSL 11 will sign two-year contracts with their franchises. Looking ahead, teams can retain up to seven players for PSL 12.
The following season (PSL 13) will then see a “grand auction,” where franchises can retain a maximum of five players, with all others returning to the auction pool.
Direct signing clause and enhanced purse
Adding another strategic layer, franchises have been granted the option to directly sign one foreign player who did not feature in PSL 10.
To facilitate the acquisition of elite talent through this “Direct Signing” clause, the standard team purse of PKR 45 crore can be extended to PKR 50.5 crore, with the PCB offering support for signing marquee international stars.
With these changes, PSL 11 is poised to usher in a new era of high-stakes strategy, increased competitiveness, and global appeal for Pakistan’s premier T20 competition.
