The Pakistan Super League broke with tradition on Wednesday, replacing its draft system with an auction format for the first time in the tournament’s history. The bidding war at Lahore’s Expo Centre produced record-breaking contracts and dramatically reshaped team rosters ahead of the league’s eleventh edition.
Eight franchises, including newcomers Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen, competed to build their squads for PSL 11, scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3. With teams permitted to retain only four players from previous seasons, franchises spent aggressively to reconstruct their cores.
Saim Ayub emerged as the auction’s biggest prize, retained by Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen for Rs126 million, setting a new PSL record. Fast bowler Naseem Shah became the most expensive pick of the auction, going to Rawalpindi for Rs86.5 million. Islamabad United secured all-rounder Faheem Ashraf for Rs85 million, while Rawalpindi also grabbed New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell for Rs80.5 million.
Lahore Qalandars brought back Fakhar Zaman for Rs79.5 million and Haris Rauf for Rs76 million. Karachi Kings made headlines by signing former Australian captain David Warner for Rs79 million, building their squad around experienced internationals including Adam Zampa and Salman Ali Agha.
Several players crossed the Rs70 million threshold, with Mark Chapman joining Islamabad United for that amount and Khawaja Mohammad Nafay going to Quetta Gladiators for Rs65 million.
Rawalpindi constructed a formidable bowling attack by adding Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Rishad Hossain and Asif Afridi. Islamabad United balanced their roster with both batting firepower and bowling depth, bringing in Imad Wasim, Richard Gleeson and West Indian pacer Shamar Joseph alongside Chapman and Faheem.
The auction format injected fresh energy into the league, with teams now holding significantly different compositions than in previous seasons. The dramatic spending reflects both the growing financial strength of PSL franchises and the increasing value placed on Pakistani domestic talent alongside established international stars.
