2026 Pakistan Super League Auction: Full Details, Rules, Retentions, Direct Signings and Squads

The Pakistan Super League is set to enter a new era with the 2026 player auction, scheduled to take place on 11 February 2026, marking the first time in the league’s history that squads will be formed through an open auction rather than the traditional draft system. The move represents a major structural change for the league, which has relied on the draft model since its inception in 2016.

The 2026 season will be the eleventh edition of the Pakistan Super League and will feature eight teams following the addition of two new franchises, Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen. The expansion from six to eight teams was approved ahead of the season, increasing the player pool and intensifying competition among franchises.

Background and shift from draft to auction

From 2016 to 2025, the PSL followed a draft-based system where players were divided into fixed categories such as Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Emerging. Teams selected players in a predetermined order, limiting bidding flexibility. Ahead of PSL 11, the Pakistan Cricket Board, in consultation with all franchises, decided to replace the draft with an auction model to align the league with other major global T20 competitions and provide franchises greater autonomy in squad building.

Auction rules and team purse

Each franchise has been allocated a base purse of PKR 450 million, which can be extended up to PKR 505 million in special circumstances to allow the direct signing of one foreign player who did not feature in the previous PSL season. All bids during the auction will be conducted in Pakistani rupees, with minimum bid increments defined according to player base price tiers.

Players will enter the auction under four base price categories:

Franchises are required to select squads comprising 16 to 20 players. Each team must include at least two uncapped Under-23 players, with a mandatory requirement that one of them features in the playing XI during the season. Overseas player slots will range between five and seven depending on final squad size. Players secured through the auction will sign two-year contracts with their respective franchises.

Retention policy and changes

Ahead of the auction, franchises were permitted to retain up to four players from their existing squads, limited to one player per category. This is a significant reduction from previous seasons, where teams could retain up to eight players and also exercise right-to-match options. For PSL 2026, the PCB abolished the right-to-match rule, along with mentor and brand ambassador provisions.

The two new franchises, Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen and Sialkot Stallionz, were allowed to pre-select and retain up to four players each to ensure parity with the existing six teams.

Retained players ahead of the auction

Direct foreign signings

Each franchise was also allowed to directly sign one overseas player who did not participate in the previous PSL season. These signings are outside the standard team purse and can go up to PKR 55 million.

Auction schedule

The main PSL 2026 auction, where franchises will complete their full squads, is scheduled for 11 February 2026. All eight teams will participate in open bidding to fill remaining slots.

Coaching appointments

Several teams have also confirmed key coaching appointments ahead of the season. Luke Ronchi will continue as head coach of Islamabad United, Jason Gillespie has been appointed as head coach of Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen, and Tim Paine will take charge of Sialkot Stallionz.

Final squads announced so far

Withdrawn players

Rahmanullah Gurbaz has withdrawn from the tournament due to personal commitments and will not feature for Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 2026.