The Pakistan Super League held its 11th season player auction on Wednesday, and the opening rounds delivered a surprise as former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan went unsold in the all-rounder category despite early interest and expectation in the room.
Shakib appeared among the first names announced, a slot usually reserved for players franchises value highly. This time, teams kept their paddles down. The silence spoke louder than any bid.
PSL sides clearly prioritised balance over reputation. Franchises looked for specific roles rather than star power, and Shakib did not fit the immediate tactical needs on the day.
The contrast felt sharp when leg-spinner Rishad Hossain entered the spinner category. Karachi and Rawalpindi went head-to-head before Rawalpindi closed the deal at PKR 3 crore, well above his base price of PKR 1 crore 10 lakh.
That bidding war underlined the market mood. Teams wanted impact players who could slot straight into defined roles, especially in spin-heavy middle overs.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz also found no buyer, reinforcing how selective franchises became. All-rounders without a clear specialist edge struggled to attract interest.
The auction still carried strong Bangladeshi representation. A total of 50 players from Bangladesh registered for the draft, keeping fan attention high throughout the day.
One move had already landed before the auction began. Lahore Qalandars secured Mustafizur Rahman through a direct signing, removing one major name from the bidding table early.
