The bold innings of HBL Pakistan Super League commenced with a bang as the player auction of the 11th season began at Lahore’s Expo Centre, replacing the draft system for the first time ever. The auctions were full of drama, surprises, and records, topped by Naseem Shah’s mega transfer to Rawalpindi for an astonishing Rs86.5 million!
This auction will always remain a landmark in the history of PSL, as it introduced transparency in a competitive bidding system that ensured the team bosses, analysts, and even fans remained glued to the auction paddle. Eight teams were involved in the auction, and it emphasized the league’s commitment to lifting both the commercial value and on-ground competition.
Naseem Tops the Charts
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However, the night’s biggest headline has come from Pakistan’s best fast bowler Naseem Shah, who was picked up by Rawalpindi (now Multan Sultans with new owners) for a hefty fee of 86.5 million rupees, which makes the left-arm quick one of the most expensive signings in the history of the PSL. A flurry was seen over the bidding including the rising star, who is arguably one of the most feared fast bowlers for the Men in Green in white-ball formats.
Rawalpindi, however, did not stop at that. The franchise also picked Bangladesh off-spinner Rishad Hossain for 30 million rupees, and this indicates that they are planning a well-rounded, attacking team.
Faheem, Haris, and Warner Spark Bidding Fren
In the Pakistani camp, it was the turn of the all-round talent Faheem Ashraf, who would fetch a whopping sum of Rs. 85 million for Islamabad United in the first batch of all-rounders.
The same Haris Rauf returned back to the fold of Lahore Qalandars for Rs76 crores, maintaining the pace ace with the franchise who initially rose to prominence with the club.
In the meantime, the batting powerhouse of Australia, David Warner, was clinched by Karachi Kings for Rs79 crores.
A shrewd move by Quetta Gladiators was signing Rilee Rossouw for Rs55.5 million;
Karachi Kings have further fortified their team with Azam Khan for Rs32.5 million.
National T20 captain Salman Ali Agha for Rs58.5 million.
Sialkot Stallions have signed an aggressive all-rounder Sahibzada Farhan for Rs57 million.
Big Names Go Unsold
The auction was not without snubs as well. Imad Wasim, Mohammad Junaid, Mehdi Hassan Miraz, Hussain Talat, Asif Afridi, Danish Aziz, Mohammad Zeeshan, Colin Munro, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, and England’s Chris Jordan were among notable names who failed to attract bids.
The last-minute holes revealed just how volatile this brand-new auction system can be, especially where franchise plans, budgets, and mix-and-match lineups determine the result more mercilessly than ever.
Fresh Talent in the Spotlight
Young spinners Mehran Mumtaz and Faisal Akram were immediately snapped up by Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators respectively for Rs 12.5 million each.
The emerging star Arafat Minhas joined the Quetta Gladiators for Rs 11 million.
While Aamir Jamal signed for Peshawar Zalmi for Rs 19 million.
Lahore Qalandars won the pick of Usama Mir for Rs35 million.
Jahandad Khan was acquired by Quetta for Rs25 million after a productive evening of strategic arrangements.
Auction Mechanics: A New Financial Era
Earlier during the course of the day, PSL management had presented a framework detailing retention and auction rules. Base price values were categorized under four specific bands at Rs 40.2 million, Rs 20.2 million, Rs 10.1 million, and Rs 6 million.
HBL PSL 11 Player Auction Base Prices
Base Price Brackets (PKR):
• 4.2 Crore
• 2.2 Crore
• 1.1 Crore
• 0.6 Crore
Minimum Incremental Bids:
• PKR 2.5 Lakh – under 1.1 Crore
• PKR 5 Lakh – under 2.2 Crore
• PKR 10 Lakh – under 4.2 Crore
• PKR 15 Lakh – above 4.2 Crore
All auction bids will be conducted in Pakistani Rupees (PKR).
Franchise budgets were set at Rs450 million, extendable to Rs500 million in order to accommodate one directly signed foreign player who was not a member of PSL X. The PCB also promised to provide financial support for teams looking to acquire top international talent.
Each team must have 16 to 20 players in each team with five to seven foreign players. The team must play with at least three and at most four overseas players in the playing XI. The franchises must also have at least two under-23 players who are not capped, with at least one player in the playing XI.
A League Reimagined
To give it a celebratory touch, the PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, distributed customized T-shirts among the franchise owners, indicating Pakistan’s involvement in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup tournament scheduled to take place in Markhor.
More than the change of methods is implied by the shift from draft to auction; more implied is the change from the relatively commercially stagnant PSL to a more globally attuned T20 league. Not only does the method promote more excitement, but market value is made clearer for the player.
As the teams finalize their squads and everyone discusses the auction’s successes and failures, one fact seems obvious: the HBL PSL XI has provided blockbuster entertainment before a single ball has been bowled. With these record-breaking deals, surprises, and squad revamps, it seems to be the season of the most electrifying PSL season ever!
