Historic shift in HBL PSL history as Player Auction model announced for season 11

The HBL Pakistan Super League has announced a series of landmark decisions ahead of its 11th edition, highlighting the League’s continued growth, competitiveness and commitment to innovation.

In a historic shift after completing a decade, HBL PSL 11 will move to a Player Auction Model, replacing the traditional Player Draft system. The change is aimed at enhancing competitive balance, improving transparency and providing players with greater earning opportunities.

Under the revised player acquisition framework, each franchise will be allowed to retain a maximum of four players, limited to one per category. This marks a significant change from the previous system, under which franchises could retain up to eight players, including provisions for a Mentor, Brand Ambassador and a Right to Match (RTM) option to retain a ninth player. For HBL PSL 11, the Mentor, Brand Ambassador and RTM rules have been abolished.

Newly inducted teams will be permitted to select and retain four players from the available player pool prior to the Player Auction. In addition, each franchise will be allowed one direct signing of a foreign player who did not feature in HBL PSL 10, allowing teams to strategically bolster their squads with new international talent.

Further strengthening the League’s commercial and competitive outlook, the player salary purse has been increased to USD 1.6 million from USD 1.4 million per franchise, underlining HBL PSL’s focus on rewarding player performance and attracting leading domestic and international cricketers.

HBL PSL 11 is scheduled to commence on 26 March 2026.

Additionally, Faisalabad has been added as an additional venue for the tournament, marking the city’s return as a host and expanding the League’s national footprint.