Islamabad, Jan 19 (NationPress) The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set to adopt a Player Auction Model, doing away with the conventional Player Draft system, starting from its 11th season, as announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday.

This shift represents a series of significant changes aimed at promoting the League’s growth, enhancing its competitiveness, and emphasizing innovation. The PCB stated that this new approach is designed to foster a better competitive balance, improve transparency, and offer players more lucrative opportunities.

Under the revised guidelines, each franchise will be permitted to retain a maximum of four players, with only one from each category. Previously, franchises could hold on to eight players, including a mentor, a brand ambassador, and had the option to retain a ninth player during the Player Draft.

The stipulations concerning mentors, brand ambassadors, and the Right to Match (RTM) have been eliminated for PSL 11. New teams will have the chance to select and retain four players from the available pool before the Player Auction.

Additionally, each franchise can secure one direct signing of a foreign player who did not participate in PSL 10, allowing teams to strategically enhance their rosters with new international talent.

Moreover, the salary cap for players has been increased to USD 1.6 million per franchise. These transformative measures highlight the League’s strategic direction and evolution, while remaining committed to its goal of promoting cricketing excellence, engaging fans, and achieving new heights.

Further details about the auction process, timeline, and operational guidelines will be released in due time.

The PSL 11 is scheduled to kick off on March 26, with Faisalabad added as a new venue for the matches.