PCB announces HBL PSL XI players’ auction on Feb 11 | The Express Tribune

The auction for the 11th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be held on February 11, with the base prices of the top bracket set at Rs40.2 million, Rs20.2 million, Rs10.1 million and Rs6 million, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.

According to an official release, the board conducted a detailed workshop regarding the upcoming HBL PSL player auction at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday. The session was presided over by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and HBL PSL CEO Salman Naseer.

Among the players present were the top two leading run-scorers in HBL PSL history, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, and the top two leading wicket-takers, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The HBL PSL management shared a detailed presentation on the mechanics of the retention and auction process and consulted with all participants. It was agreed that the HBL PSL Player Auction will take place on Wednesday, February 11.

The base prices of the players were also revealed, and it was decided that the auction prices and minimum incremental bids would be in Pakistani rupees.

The base prices of the top bracket were set at Rs40.2 million, Rs20.2 million, Rs10.1 million and Rs6 million.

The minimum incremental bids for each base price were also decided, as follows:

Rs250,000 for bid amounts under Rs10.1 million
Rs500,000 for bid amounts under Rs20.2 million
Rs1,000,000 for bid amounts under Rs40.2 million
Rs1,500,000 for bid amounts above Rs40.2 million

According to the official statement, franchises will be permitted to bid higher than the prescribed minimum incremental bids for each base price.

Each franchise squad will comprise a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 20 players. The number of foreign players allowed in a squad will range from five to seven, depending on overall squad size. It will be mandatory for franchises to field at least three and no more than four foreign players in the playing XI.

Teams must also include a minimum of two uncapped under-23 players in their squads, with at least one required to feature in the playing XI.

Players retained or selected in the HBL PSL 11 Player Auction will be contracted to their respective franchises for a period of two years. After the conclusion of HBL PSL 11, franchises will be allowed to retain a maximum of seven players for the 12th edition of the tournament.

A grand auction will be held following HBL PSL 12, at which point franchises may retain a maximum of five players. Any players not retained will return to the general auction pool.

The official release further stated that each franchise will be entitled to directly sign one foreign player for HBL PSL 11 who did not feature in HBL PSL X.

To facilitate this, the franchise purse of Rs450 million may be extended to Rs500 million, inclusive of the directly signed foreign player. The PCB will also provide financial support to assist franchises in securing elite foreign players.

“I’m delighted that a consultative and productive session was held between the franchises, players and management today, resulting in informed and strategic decisions which will pave the way for a bright future for the HBL PSL,” PCB chairman said.

He noted that the Player Auction model is a landmark step for the HBL PSL, offering players better financial opportunities through an increased salary purse and a transparent acquisition process, while making the league more competitive and attractive.

“The HBL PSL’s highly anticipated New Era is finally here. The player auction system modernises player recruitment by promoting fairness, transparency and market-driven value, strengthening the HBL PSL’s appeal for players and franchises, and, most importantly, meeting the expectations of our loyal fans,” HBL PSL CEO added.