Traditionally, the PSL uses a draft system before each season, but there is increasing demand for an auction format, giving teams more freedom to select players of their choice. According to a report by Qadir Khawaja, three franchises, Karachi Kings, Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators, have shown interest in replacing the concept with an auction.
On the other hand, Lahore Qalandars remain the only team supporting the concept system. Peshawar Zalmi is yet to respond to PCB’s query and it is unclear whether they will side with Lahore Qalandars or join the other three teams in favor of the auction. The PCB has also not clarified whether a unanimous decision will be required to implement an auction or whether a majority vote will be enough to effect the change.
Currently, the PSL draft includes six teams and six categories: Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, Emerging and Additional. Each team selects players according to a predetermined order, which is determined by the PCB based on the previous season’s performance or in consultation with franchise owners. The first team chooses from the Platinum category, followed by the others in order. Unlike the IPL auction, there is no bidding war and salaries are predetermined based on the category, with platinum players earning the highest amounts.
The draft system has often been criticized for its lack of transparency, especially regarding the method used to determine picking order. While the design ensures a structured selection, critics argue it limits the franchise’s flexibility and prevents competitive bidding for top players, a feature that an auction could potentially address.
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