Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 is shaping up to be one of the most transformative seasons in the league’s history. On January 16, 2026, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi proposed a players’ auction system for PSL 11, signalling a potential shift from the traditional draft model used in previous seasons.
Naqvi floated the idea during a PSL Governing Council meeting at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore. The proposal aims to add excitement and fairness to player selection. If adopted, franchises could bid on top cricketers much like they do for team franchises.
Under Naqvi’s proposal, the auction would allow franchises more freedom in choosing players. Sources from the PCB meeting said he also urged franchise owners to increase player remuneration, arguing that rising team valuations should be matched by higher pay for talent.
The discussion is part of wider preparations for PSL 11, which will be held from March 26 to May 3, 2026, with the league expanding from six to eight teams. The latest deadline confirms the size and scale of the new season as franchises prepare both on and off the field.
This season’s expansion reflects PSL’s growing commercial strength. At the auction held on January 8, 2026, two new franchises — Hyderabad and Sialkot — were sold in Islamabad for a combined Rs3.6 billion. The Hyderabad franchise was bought by FKS Group for Rs1.75 billion, while OZ Developers secured the Sialkot team for Rs1.85 billion, making it the most expensive franchise in PSL history.
Even as Naqvi’s proposal gains attention, discussions continue on how best to implement the change. A hybrid recruitment system — described as a “drauction” combining draft and auction elements — is under consideration to balance tradition with innovation.
PSL CEO Salman Naseer has also weighed in publicly, hinting that direct player signings, purse increases, and auction possibilities are all being reviewed. He noted that “local players are the ones who create real value for the PSL, so they should be remunerated accordingly.”
However, franchises remain divided. Some favour retention of the draft for competitive balance, while others believe auctions could unlock greater commercial potential and help new teams compete on equal talent footing.
As PSL 11 draws nearer, the PCB’s auction proposal could redefine how teams build squads and how players are valued. Cricket fans worldwide are watching closely as Pakistan’s marquee T20 league enters a bold new chapter.
