PSL 11 set for March 26 kickoff; PCB proposes shift to open auction model
By Nawaz Gohar ; Significant developments have emerged regarding the eleventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), with the Governing Council reaching an “in-principle” agreement to commence the tournament on March 26.
During a high-level meeting chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the future of the league’s player recruitment and retention strategies took center stage. According to sources, Chairman Naqvi proposed a paradigm shift from the traditional draft system to an “Open Auction” model.
The Chairman argued that an auction system would provide greater financial benefits to players, enhance transparency, and elevate the league’s competitive standards.
The meeting also marked the formal involvement of the owners of the two newly inducted franchises. While an initial start date of March 23 was considered to coincide with Pakistan Day, the council ultimately settled on March 26.
However, the transition to an auction model remains a point of contention. While some franchise owners support the move, others prefer sticking to the established draft system. A similar deadlock persists regarding player retentions. Currently, teams are allowed to retain 8 players, but the entry of two new teams has necessitated a revision:
PCB Proposal: Each team retains 3 players. Legacy Franchises: Pushing for 5 retentions. New Franchises: Advocating for zero retentions to ensure a fair pick of top-tier talent from the pool.
The session concluded with a decision to continue consultations. Out of the eight franchises, representatives from six joined the meeting virtually, while two attended in person.
