Pakistan Super League Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer has indicated that major structural changes are being discussed for the 11th edition of the league, including the introduction of a players’ auction, direct signings, and a possible increase in the overall player purse.
Speaking in an interview with Geo News, Naseer said the PSL management has been holding extensive consultations with franchises to decide the future player recruitment model, especially after the addition of two new teams to the league.
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“Consultations were ongoing with the five existing franchises, and we were waiting for the two new franchises to join us. After that, we wanted to take a consultative decision on whether we should move towards a draft, an auction, or a mix of both,” Naseer said.
He added that discussions have now been completed with the existing teams, while further talks will take place with the new franchises before a final decision is announced.
“All these discussions have now taken place. Now we have to sit down with the two new franchises and make a final decision. After consultations, we will announce the direction we are heading in,” he said.
Naseer stressed that transparency will remain central to the process and that fans will be kept informed once a consensus is reached.
Addressing the ongoing debate between the draft and auction systems, Naseer explained that while auctions can be exciting, several franchises believe the draft has played a key role in keeping the league competitive.
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“The auction that took place showed how interesting it can be. Some existing franchises believe the player draft is more competitive. In the draft, categories are created, and a certain number of players can be picked from each category. This has maintained balance over the past 10 years, and we have seen the results on the field,” he said.
“When teams are balanced, the competition remains strong, often leading to last-over or even last-ball finishes. It’s a well-established model, so some franchises question why there should be a move away from it.”
Naseer also revealed that even the date of the players’ draft is still under discussion.
“So far, the decision on whether there will be a draft or not has not been made. If it is to take place on January 30, we are still going to decide that and will consult with the chairman on whether this date will be finalised,” he said.
According to Naseer, franchises remain divided on several key matters, including player retentions, purse size, and the option of direct signings.
“As the league prepares for a potential structural reset, differing opinions have emerged. Some believe the current system sufficiently delivers quality players within reasonable price brackets,” he said.
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“Some franchises also argue that good players come through anyway and fall within the same price range, so why change the model?”
He further explained that any move towards an auction system would require an increase in the team purse, which currently stands at $1.3 million.
“To move towards an auction model, we need to consider how much we can increase the purse. Currently, the purse is $1.3 million. If the PCB increases it by adding $100,000 for each franchise, our desire is to increase it, but it must be done through consensus,” Naseer said.
Naseer added that PSL management is also exploring ways to improve player earnings, particularly for local cricketers, who he described as the backbone of the league.
One proposal under consideration is allowing franchises to directly sign certain players, giving teams more flexibility while rewarding domestic talent.
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“Another thing we are exploring is the option of direct signings — that franchises could sign some players directly. Foreign players are already getting additional money through auctions or direct signings around the world, so local players should also receive the same,” he said.
“The PCB chairman also has a strong view on this: local players are the ones who create real value for the PSL, so they should be remunerated accordingly,” Naseer added.
He concluded by saying that the PSL management is continuing discussions with all franchises to reach a unified decision on the league’s future structure ahead of PSL 11.
