KEY POINTS
- The new teams, Hyderabad and Sialkot Stallionz, get an extra two days compared to existing teams to help them build competitive squads.
- The historic 11th edition will feature an eight-team league and replace the traditional draft with a full-scale player auction.
- An independent panel will oversee player retentions for Multan Sultans after the renewal of long-term franchise agreements.
LAHORE: Pakistan Super League (PSL) has set February 6 as a deadline for the two new franchises to submit their player retentions ahead of the league’s inaugural auction, scheduled for February 11.
The announcement was made via the league’s official social media channels, intensifying the countdown to the landmark event.
Staggered deadlines favour new teams
In a strategic move, the two new entrants, Hyderabad and Sialkot Stallionz, have been granted two extra days beyond the existing six teams, which must finalise their retentions by February 3. This schedule is designed to benefit the new franchises by allowing them to review the list of players released by the established teams before finalising their core squads.
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Furthermore, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has permitted direct signings for the new teams, a first in the league’s history since its inception in 2016. This provision will enable Hyderabad and Sialkot Stallionz to build competitive rosters by signing released players ahead of the auction.
Historic expansion and new auction format
The upcoming 11th edition marks a significant expansion for the PSL, growing from six to eight teams. Accompanying this growth is a major procedural shift: the traditional player draft will be replaced by a full-scale player auction, a first for the tournament.
The PCB has established a clear financial framework for the auction, announcing four base price categories in Pakistani Rupees: PKR 4.2 crore, PKR 2.2 crore, PKR 1.1 crore, and PKR 60 lakh. Accompanying these are defined minimum bid increments, ranging from PKR 250,000 to PKR 1,500,000, though franchises are allowed to bid higher.
Retention oversight for Multan Sultans
The development follows the PCB’s recent renewal of central contracts for 89 cricketers attached to the six existing franchises. With five teams, Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, Islamabad United, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators, having secured a new 10-year agreement alongside Multan Sultans, the board will form an independent panel to oversee the retention process specifically for the 2021 champions, Multan Sultans.
