The Pakistan Super League is considering a shift to a hybrid player recruitment model ahead of its 11th season, with the governing council meeting this week to debate whether to replace the traditional draft with what has been termed a “drauction”, as two new franchises prepare to join the competition.
The discussion took place on Friday at a meeting attended by representatives of all eight franchises, with the Pakistan Cricket Board representing Multan Sultans. No final decision was reached, and the meeting was adjourned with a working group formed to continue deliberations over the weekend.
For its first ten seasons, the PSL has operated a draft system. However, the addition of new franchises in Hyderabad and Sialkot has prompted renewed debate over whether an auction, or a combination of auction and draft, would better serve the expanded league.
In an official statement, the PCB said: “During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on various matters including the schedule of the PSL, player retentions, adoption of the player auction or a unique combination of auction and draft termed as ‘drauction’ and the option of opening direct signings.”
One of the central sticking points remains player retention. Existing franchises are seeking to protect their core squads, while the two incoming teams are pushing for minimal retentions to allow access to a broader pool of top players. According to ESPNcricinfo, consensus on how to strike that balance has yet to be found.
The new franchises are also understood to be among the strongest advocates for a full auction model, a position opposed by a majority of the existing teams. While the PSL chairman retains the authority to make a final decision if agreement cannot be reached, the league is keen to allow time for consensus-building.
The statement confirmed that the tournament will begin on Thursday, 26 March, as “fans, players and stakeholders look forward to entering the New Era of the league”. It added that the working group would meet on Saturday before the governing council reconvenes, if required.
Separately, uncertainty remains around the ownership of Multan Sultans. The PCB had initially planned to operate the franchise itself after former owner Ali Tareen stepped away. However, following the strong sale prices achieved by the Hyderabad and Sialkot franchises, the board has now opted to put Sultans up for auction ahead of the new season, with technical bids invited by the end of the month.
