The Pakistan Super League’s governing council working committee has reached a consensus on introducing a full player auction for PSL 11, while also finalising player retention rules for the expanded season.
According to insiders, the late-night meeting focused on two major agenda items: the auction model for player selection and the framework for player retention. The committee’s recommendations will now be forwarded to Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi for final approval. A full meeting of the PSL governing council may be convened if further deliberation is required.
Sources said the defending champions Lahore Qalandars, along with Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, and the Hyderabad franchise, voted in favour of a full player auction.
Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi and the Sialkot franchise supported a hybrid “drauction” system that combined elements of both a draft and an auction.
The HBL PSL Governing Council convened a session in Lahore to welcome Sialkot & Hyderabad to the HBL PSL family ✨#HBLPSL | #NewEra pic.twitter.com/9c3W18Byy4
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) January 16, 2026Retention formula agreed
The five existing franchises agreed to retain four players each, one in every category. Under the approved framework, one retained player may be shifted to a lower category and designated as a brand ambassador.
New franchises will complete their squads by selecting players from the general pool through the auction process. However, two of the new teams pushed for a zero-retention option, arguing for a completely open auction to ensure competitive balance.
“All remaining players will go into the auction, and franchises will build their squads from that pool,” sources said.
The HBL PSL Governing Council held a session in Lahore and confirmed HBL PSL 11 kicks off on 26 March! 💥
Read more: https://t.co/h0sZ9f5CBR#HBLPSL | #NewEra pic.twitter.com/rSZ6DuDKJi
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) January 16, 2026Final approval expected soon
The final auction and retention formula will be submitted to Mohsin Naqvi, with an official announcement expected within the next one to two days. Earlier, the PCB chairman urged franchise owners to increase the players’ salary cap, citing the rising market value of PSL teams following the league’s expansion.
Read: HBL PSL 11 Start Date : Pakistan Super League Begins March 26
He also encouraged franchises to embrace the auction system, telling owners that selecting players through an open auction would benefit both teams and players as the league enters a new era.
Pakistan Cricket Board invites bids for the Team Franchise Rights of the Multan Team for HBL Pakistan Super League 2026.
📍 Technical Proposal Deadline: 30 January 2026, 3:00 PM
📩 psl@pcb.com.pk#HBLPSL | #NewEra pic.twitter.com/2qv9fLiCJl
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) January 14, 2026PSL 11 timeline and expansion
PSL 11 is scheduled to begin on March 26, marking a historic expansion from six to eight teams with the inclusion of franchises from Sialkot and Hyderabad. The PSL 2026 franchise auction, held at the Jinnah Convention Centre on January 8, saw FKS Group and OZ Developers acquire the new teams for Rs1.75 billion and Rs1.85 billion, respectively.
The upcoming season is expected to be one of the most transformative in PSL history, with the auction model set to reshape squad-building dynamics across the league.
