PSL Player Auction Sees Record Spending as New Franchises Make Strong Entry
LAHORE: Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises spent millions of rupees on star cricketers during the league’s first-ever players’ auction held at the Expo Center in Lahore, marking a significant shift in the tournament’s player acquisition system.
New franchise Rawalpindi made the most expensive purchase by signing Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah for Rs86.5 million ($approx.), while Karachi Kings re-signed Australian opener David Warner for Rs79 million. Lahore Qalandars secured pacer Haris Rauf for Rs75 million, and Sialkot Australians picked Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan for Rs57 million.
Walchi Technologies purchased Multan Sultans for Rs2.45 billion and rebranded the franchise as Rawalpindi, signaling growing commercial interest in the league. Despite the aggressive bidding, several experienced players remained unsold, including former Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim and batter Saud Shakeel. Overseas players such as Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz and West Indies’ Kyle Mayers also went unpicked.
Islamabad United acquired all-rounder Faheem Ashraf for Rs85 million, while Karachi Kings signed wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan for Rs35 million.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi attended the auction and extended his best wishes to franchises ahead of PSL season 11, expressing confidence that the new auction format would boost competitiveness and fan engagement in the league.
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