The Pakistan Cricket Board has released a comprehensive set of guidelines for the Pakistan Super League 2026 player auction, marking the start of a new recruitment cycle for franchises. The update outlines base prices, bidding mechanics, squad composition rules, and franchise purse limits for PSL 11.
The announcement came after the conclusion of a dedicated PSL 11 auction workshop, where franchise representatives and key stakeholders were briefed on how the auction process will operate this season. PCB officials said the goal is to ensure transparency, financial discipline, and competitive balance across all teams.
For PSL 11, the board has confirmed four base price categories for players, all listed in Pakistani rupees. These include Rs 4.2 crore, Rs 2.2 crore, Rs 1.1 crore, and Rs 60 lac. These base prices will serve as the starting point for bidding during the auction, allowing franchises to assess player value before raising offers.
To maintain structured bidding, PCB has also introduced minimum bid increments. Bids under Rs 1.1 crore must increase by at least Rs 250,000, while bids under Rs 2.2 crore will rise in steps of Rs 500,000. For bids under Rs 4.2 crore, the minimum increment is Rs 1 million, and bids above Rs 4.2 crore must increase by at least Rs 1.5 million. However, franchises are free to raise bids beyond these minimum limits.
Each PSL team must assemble a squad of at least 16 players, with a maximum limit of 20 players. Teams will be allowed to include between five and seven foreign players, depending on the final squad size, giving franchises flexibility in balancing local and overseas talent.
Youth development remains a key focus, as PCB has made it mandatory for every team to include at least two uncapped Under-23 players in the squad. Additionally, one uncapped Under-23 player must be part of the playing XI in every match.
Players selected or retained in PSL 11 will sign two-year contracts. Franchises will be allowed to retain up to seven players for PSL 12. After that season, the league will move to a grand auction model, where teams can retain only five players, with the remaining players returning to the auction pool.
PCB also reiterated that franchises can directly sign one foreign player who did not feature in PSL 10. The standard franchise purse has been set at Rs 45 crore, which may be extended to Rs 50.5 crore to accommodate direct foreign signings.
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