PSL teams told to copy IPL as PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi proposes auction for 2026 season

Auction system forced on PSL franchises [Source: @thePSLt20/X]

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has urged all competing franchises to accept the auction system before the launch of the upcoming PSL 2026 season in Pakistan. According to Naqvi, the auction system will keep the league “fair and competitive” as teams can bid for their choice of players by going against other competing franchises.

It is worth noting that the PCB chairman had pitched the idea of an IPL-like auction model for PSL earlier this month. While franchises like Karachi Kings, Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators reportedly backed Mohsin Naqvi’s revolutionary call, the Shaheen Afridi-led Lahore Qalandars franchise rejected PCB’s plan.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi remains adamant on auction model for PSL

As reported by Pakistan sports journalist Saleem Khaliq, PCB chairman and ACC President Mohsin Naqvi has emphasised the importance of picking players via an auction system to keep the PSL league “fair and competitive”.

Naqvi has also urged all PSL franchises to keep an open mind and accept the auction system in a bid to protect and strengthen the league.

The PSL governing council recently had a meeting at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore on Friday, January 16. While PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi helmed the meeting, officials from all eight PSL franchises, including the two new ones, also attended the conference.

Apart from the customary congratulations and the welcome of the two new franchises into the PSL family, several discussions were also held regarding the possible adoption of the player auction. As per an official media release by the PCB.com, the PCB and PSL franchise officials also discussed the possibility of adopting a unique combination of auction and player’s draft, terming the same as “drauction”. There is also a probability of teams opting to choose players via direct signings.

As of now, it remains to be seen if all PSL franchises will ultimately fall in line with the PCB’s vision and embrace the proposed auction-based model ahead of the 2026 season.

PSL undergoes major shake-up, schedule out

Apart from the possibility of adopting an IPL-like auction model for the PSL, the Pakistani league has undergone some major shakeup over the past few months. While five PSL team owners extended their franchise contracts, Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen walked away from the franchise citing repeated financial losses.

Tareen’s surprising last-hour announcement prompted the PCB to take control over the entire operational control of the Multan Sultans, before eventually deciding to sell the franchise via an auction for interested parties.

Moreover, two new franchises, Sialkot and Hyderabad, were recently added to the PSL pool, thus expanding the upcoming 2026 season to an eight-team event from its traditional six-team competition.

Mohsin Naqvi has also confirmed the official schedule of the PSL 2026 season, stating that the opening match of the tournament will be played on March 26. With final to be organised on May 3, the PCB chairman has ensured that the PSL 2026 season will run in tandem with the BCCI’s IPL 2026 season in India, thus continuing the trend that began last year.