HBL PSL Player Auction Workshop Held at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore – Jan 25, 2026

PCB Hosts First HBL PSL Auction Workshop

Lahore, January 25, 2026: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) held a workshop at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore to get ready for the first-ever HBL PSL Player Auction. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and HBL PSL CEO Salman Naseer led the session. Franchise reps, PCB officials, players from Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad, and other players (capped and uncapped) were all there.

This workshop is a big deal for the HBL PSL. The league is moving to a more organized and open way of getting players, which is based on the market.

Big Players Show Up and Speak Up

HBL PSL legends Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman (the league’s top run-scorers) and Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi (the leading wicket-takers) attended. Their being there showed how important the session was. They also gave useful opinions because they’ve played a big role in the league’s success.

Players talked to franchise reps and HBL PSL officials, giving their thoughts on keeping players, how the auction works, and how salaries are set up. The session showed that the PCB wants to work together to make sure the auction goes smoothly and fairly.

Auction Date and Rules Confirmed

The workshop ended with the announcement that the HBL PSL Player Auction will happen on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. They talked about everything to do with keeping players and the auction, like base prices, the smallest bid increases allowed, and how many players each team needs.

The base prices for players are: PKR 4.2 crore, PKR 2.2 crore, PKR 1.1 crore, and PKR 60 lacs. The lowest bid increases are set to keep the bidding competitive: PKR 250,000 for bids under 1.1 crore, PKR 500,000 under 2.2 crore, PKR 1,000,000 under 4.2 crore, and PKR 1,500,000 above 4.2 crore. Franchises can bid more than the minimum to get the best players.

Team Rosters and Player Deals

Each franchise has to have between 16 and 20 players. The number of foreign players can be between five and seven, depending on the team size. Teams have to play three or four foreign players in the starting eleven. Also, each team must have at least two uncapped Under-23 players, with at least one in the starting eleven.

Players bought in the HBL PSL Player Auction will have two-year contracts, which gives teams stability and players financial security. After the 11th edition, teams can keep up to seven players for HBL PSL 12. After the 12th edition, there will be a big auction where teams can only keep five players each, and the players who were let go will be back in the auction.

Getting Foreign Players and Money Stuff

Franchises can sign one foreign player who wasn’t in HBL PSL X directly. Each franchise has PKR 45 crore to spend on salaries, and they can go up to PKR 50.5 crore to sign players directly. The PCB will also help teams get top foreign players to make the league even better.

This setup shows that the PCB wants to help players earn more and bring in talent from around the world while keeping things fair for all the teams.

Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi on the Workshop

Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the workshop was helpful because everyone worked together:

I’m happy that the franchises, players, and management had a helpful talk today. We made smart decisions that will help the HBL PSL do well in the future. The Player Auction is a important step for the league. It gives players better money through bigger salaries and a fair way to get signed, while making the league more competitive and exciting.

CEO HBL PSL Salman Naseer Talks About the New Era

HBL PSL CEO Salman Naseer said the way they get players is getting an upgrade:

The HBL PSL is finally entering a cool period. The player auction system is modernizing how players are signed by making things fair, clear, and based on what they’re worth. This makes the HBL PSL more appealing to both players and franchises. Everyone’s opinions were heard at today’s workshop, and that feedback will help us have a fantastic player auction next month. More excitement is coming.

Achievements and What They Mean

The HBL PSL Player Auction is a big change in how teams get players. This planned method keeps player selection clear, encourages fair salaries based on the market, and makes sure all the teams are competitive. By including players in the process, the PCB builds trust and opens ways for them to talk and grow their careers.

For the teams, the auction makes them think about how to build their teams, keep players, and handle their money. It also pushes teams to mix experienced players with new talent, especially by including uncapped Under-23 players.

Problems and Things to Think About

The workshop was usually smooth, without too many issues. However, some people think the high base prices in the auction might make it tough for teams to build well-rounded squads. Also, some wonder if teams will start fighting over the best foreign players who can be signed directly, which could mess up team strategies.

Still, the workshop format helped avoid misunderstandings, and the players and teams seemed okay with the new rules.

My Thoughts

The HBL PSL Player Auction is a game-changer for Pakistan cricket. By setting up the auction, the league is catching up to other T20 leagues around the world, like the IPL, Big Bash, and CPL. Players and teams are part of the decision-making, which makes things honest and fair.

Top players like Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, and Shaheen Afridi showing up to the workshop means they support the system, which should encourage younger players to get involved. The rules for keeping players, along with the limits on foreign players, will make team strategies more interesting and create exciting games.

I think teams will bid a lot for experienced players while also looking for Under-23 players with big potential, which could lead to a few surprise picks. Top foreign players who are signed directly will likely have a big impact, making the league even better. Teams that mix experience, new talent, and smart tactics will probably do really well in HBL PSL 11.

Conclusion and What to Expect

The HBL PSL Player Auction workshop at Gaddafi Stadium has set the stage for a league that’s clear, competitive, and pays well. With the auction coming up on February 11, 2026, teams, players, and fans can expect new methods of team building, exciting player buys, and better competition.

The HBL PSL keeps getting better and more professional, which means a great tournament that will strengthen Pakistan’s T20 scene and show off new cricket talent to the world.