The much-awaited 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL 11) players auction is finally here, marking a historic moment for the league as it officially moves away from the traditional draft system.
For the first time since PSL’s inception in 2016, teams will assemble their squads through an open auction model, a shift introduced ahead of the league’s expansion to eight teams with the addition of Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen.
How the PSL 11 Auction Will Work
The auction process will begin with players who were released by franchises after last season. It will then move towards top-tier local and overseas players, grouped according to their primary skill sets.
After that, second-tier players will be auctioned, followed by an accelerated round for the remaining names. Franchises will also have the option to nominate unsold players for a final accelerated phase.
Unlike the draft system, there is no fixed pick order, allowing teams to openly compete in bidding wars for players. Each franchise has a maximum purse of USD 1.6 million to build a squad.
A total of 879 local and foreign players have registered for the auction and have been divided into five categories by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB): Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Emerging.
Bidding Structure and Rules
Bidding increments will vary based on the price bracket of the player. Lower-priced players will see smaller bid jumps, while higher-value players will have larger increments once bidding crosses specific thresholds.
Teams will also have access to the Golden Paddle, which allows them to raise bids beyond the minimum increment, provided the increase is made in multiples of the set bid step.
During bidding, contests will take place between two teams at a time, with a third franchise only allowed to enter once one bidder withdraws. The auctioneer will close bidding after the final call.
Retentions and Direct Signings
Ahead of the auction, franchises were allowed to retain up to four players, a reduction from the previous limit of eight. This decision was made to ensure a level playing field for the two new franchises entering the league.
In another first for PSL history, teams were also permitted to make direct signings before the auction, resulting in several high-profile international players joining franchises without going under the hammer.
