The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced significant structural changes to the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The draft system in the PSL has been replaced with a player auction system, similar to the Indian Premier League (IPL). The franchise purse for the player auction has been increased from USD 1.3 million to USD 1.6 million.
Each franchise can now retain a maximum of four players, with one player per category. The hiring of a mentor, a brand ambassador, and the right-to-match option has been abolished. Two new teams, Hyderabad and Sialkot, will be joining the upcoming season and are allowed to pick four players from the available pool before the auction.
PSL CEO Salman Naseer stated that the transition to a player auction system will enhance transparency and competitive balance in the league. Additionally, each franchise can sign one direct foreign player who did not feature in PSL 2025, providing teams with the opportunity to strengthen their squads with fresh international talent.
The changes aim to improve competitive balance, increase transparency, and provide players with greater earning opportunities. The upcoming PSL 2026 season is set to begin on March 26, with the league’s strategic trajectory focused on promoting cricketing excellence, fan engagement, and reaching new heights.
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