LAHORE: The first-ever player auction for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was held in Lahore on Wednesday, where eight franchises aggressively bid for top domestic and overseas cricketers ahead of the 11th season of the tournament.
The high-profile ceremony was attended by PSL Chief Executive Salman Naseer, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, and franchise owners.
The headline attraction of the auction was national fast bowler Naseem Shah, who emerged as the most expensive player of PSL 11 after being snapped up by the Rawalpindi franchise for a staggering Rs 86 million. At the other end of the spectrum, Jahanzeb Sultan was picked up for Rs 6 million, making him the lowest-priced player in the auction.
Karachi Kings retained David Warner for Rs 79 million following intense bidding. The franchise also secured national captain Salman Ali Agha for Rs 58.5 million and Mohammad Azam for Rs 32.5 million. Australian spinner Adam Zampa joined the Kings for Rs 45 million, while Shahid Aziz was signed for Rs 92.5 million.
Lahore Qalandars retained Fakhar Zaman for Rs 79.5 million and Haris Rauf for Rs 76 million. They further strengthened their squad by acquiring Obaid Shah for Rs 27 million and Usama Mir for Rs 35 million.
In addition to Naseem Shah, Rawalpindi brought in Daryl Mitchell for Rs 58.5 million and Mohammad Amir for Rs 54 million, while Rashad Hussain was signed for Rs 30 million.
Islamabad United made a major splash by signing Faheem Ashraf for Rs 85 million. They also added Mehran Mumtaz (Rs 12 million), Max Bryant (Rs 19.5 million), Mark Champion (Rs 7 million), and Wasim Junior (Rs 41 million).
Quetta Gladiators secured Rilee Rossouw for Rs 55.5 million and Khawaja Muhammad Nafi for Rs 65 million. Their additional picks included Faisal Akram (Rs 12.5 million), Arafat Minhas (Rs 11 million), and Jahandad Khan (Rs 25 million).
Peshawar Zalmi signed Amir Jamal for Rs 19 million, Khurram Shahzad for Rs 27 million, and Mohammad Haris for Rs 22 million.
Among the new entrants, Hyderabad Kingsmen picked up Mohammad Ali for Rs 21.5 million and Kaushal Perera for Rs 31 million, while Sialkot Stallions secured Sahibzada Farhan for Rs 57 million, Ashton Turner for Rs 42 million, and Jahanzeb Sultan for Rs 6 million.
Meanwhile, several notable players went unsold in the auction, including Imad Wasim, Hussain Talat, Danish Aziz, Asif Afridi, Colin Munro, Saud Shakeel, Ehsanullah, Mohammad Hasnain, Roman Raees, and Rassie van der Dussen, meaning they will not feature in PSL 11 unless drafted later as replacements.
