PSL 2026 to move towards auction, Lahore Qalandars oppose change

The upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set to overlap with the Indian Premier League (IPL) once again due to the T20 World Cup scheduled in February. The 11th edition of the PSL will see the introduction of two new teams, Hyderabad and Sialkot, while the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has implemented major changes ahead of the new season, including the possibility of an Indian Premier League (IPL)-style auction.

Traditionally, the PSL has used a draft system before each season, but there has been increasing demand for an auction format, which would allow teams more freedom to select players of their choice. According to a report by Qadir Khawaja, three franchises, Karachi Kings, Islamabad United, and Quetta Gladiators, have expressed interest in replacing the draft with an auction.

On the other hand, Lahore Qalandars remain the only team to support the draft system. Peshawar Zalmi have yet to respond to PCB’s query, and it is unclear whether they will side with Lahore Qalandars or join the other three teams in favour of the auction. The PCB has also not clarified whether a unanimous decision is required to implement an auction or if a majority vote will be sufficient to bring about the change.

Currently, the PSL draft involves six teams and six categories, Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, Emerging, and Supplementary. Each team picks players according to a pre-determined order, which is decided by the PCB based on the previous season’s performance or in consultation with franchise owners. The first team picks from the Platinum category, followed by others in order. Unlike the IPL auction, there is no bidding war, and salaries are pre-set according to the category, with Platinum players earning the highest amounts.

The draft system has often been criticised for lacking transparency, particularly regarding the method used to determine the pick order. While the draft ensures structured selection, critics argue it limits franchise flexibility and prevents competitive bidding for top players, a feature that an auction could potentially address.