PSL 11 launches first-ever player auction as league expands to 8 teams

Lahore (Web Desk): The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is taking a big step forward as it holds its first-ever player auction on Wednesday at Lahore’s Expo Centre, leaving behind the draft system that had been used since the league started in 2016.

This 11th edition of the PSL will feature two new teams, Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen, expanding the tournament to eight teams.

With this change, the league has also switched from the draft to an auction format.

A total of 879 local and international cricketers have signed up for the auction, divided by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) into five categories that include: Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Emerging.

Each team will build its squad by picking players from these categories, keeping within a maximum budget of $1.6 million.

Unlike the draft, the auction allows franchises to bid freely for any player, opening the door for competitive bidding and exciting team-building strategies.

The PSL 11 auction is producing some big moves as teams finalize their squads. Franchises have made key signings across batters, bowlers, wicketkeepers, and all-rounders, with prices ranging from modest picks to blockbuster deals.

Spin Bowlers: Rishad Hossain heads to Rawalpindi for Rs 30 million, while Islamabad United secured Mehran Mumtaz at Rs 12 million. Quetta Gladiators added Faisal Akram for Rs 12.5 million.

Wicketkeepers: Sialkot Stallionz invested Rs 57 million in Sahibzada Farhan, and Karachi Kings picked up Azam Khan for Rs 32.5 million.

Fast Bowlers: Naseem Shah became Rawalpindi’s top buy at Rs 86.5 million. Haris Rauf joins Lahore Qalandars for Rs 76 million, while Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen signed Mohammad Ali for Rs 21.5 million.

Batters: David Warner is now with Karachi Kings at Rs 79 million. Quetta Gladiators snapped up Rilee Rossouw for Rs 55 million, and Sialkot Stallionz picked Jahanzaib Sultan for Rs 6 million.

All-rounders: Faheem Ashraf heads to Islamabad United for Rs 85 million. Other notable signings include Usama Mir (Lahore Qalandars, Rs 35 million), Aamir Jamal (Peshawar Zalmi, Rs 19 million), and Arafat Minhas (Quetta Gladiators, Rs 11 million).

More to follow....