The first-ever player auction for the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) XI was held on Wednesday at the Expo Centre Lahore, marking a historic shift in the league’s team-building process.
Unlike the previous draft system used over the first ten seasons, the expanded eight-team PSL moved to an open auction format for the 2026 season, allowing franchises to bid competitively for both local and international talent. The auction is a key milestone in the league’s evolution as it prepares for a broader calendar and increased commercial engagement.
Naseem Shah Tops Auction Prices
Fast bowler Naseem Shah emerged as the most expensive player at the auction, fetching Rs86.5 million after a bidding battle that captured considerable attention. The Rawalpindi franchise, formerly Multan Sultans under new ownership, secured his services for the upcoming season.
Another headline acquisition saw all-rounder Faheem Ashraf go to Islamabad United for Rs85 million, becoming one of the top buys in the first lot of all-rounders.
Other Top Buys and Squad Builds
The auction produced several notable team signings across categories. Among the highest bids:
- Fakhar Zaman — Rs79.5 million
- David Warner — Rs79 million
- Haris Rauf — Rs76 million
- Mark Chapman — Rs70 million
- Khwaja Nafay — Rs65 million
- Salman Ali Agha — Rs58.5 million
- Sahibzada Farhan — Rs57 million
Local and foreign players were snapped up by franchises looking to balance experience with emerging talent ahead of the league kick-off.
Historic Shift From Draft to Auction
The transition to an auction system comes as the PSL expands to eight teams, which now include the newly-added Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen. The auction model replaces the draft system used since the league’s inception in 2016, bringing PSL in line with other major T20 leagues that use competitive bidding to assemble squads.
This change is expected to enhance transparency and strategic depth in team compositions, giving franchises more flexibility to pursue key players and tailor squads to their specific competitive plans.
What Comes Next
Franchises will now finalise their squads and prepare for the PSL XI season, scheduled to begin on March 26, 2026, and run through early May. The auction results will set the stage for a dynamic season as teams unveil their strategies and look to leverage their new talent in the league’s expanded format.
