A historic moment unfolded in Pakistan Super League (PSL) history as the first-ever player auction kicked off at the Expo Center in Lahore.
Over 800 local and international players registered for the auction, with each team set to form a squad of 16 to 20 players.
The Multan Sultans franchise will now participate under a new name, “Rawalpindi,” with new ownership.
PSL Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was warmly welcomed by all franchise owners upon his arrival at the auction. He presented all franchise owners with special customized t-shirts featuring the markhor, commemorating the National Team’s T20 World Cup 2026.
In the opening bid, Pakistani all-rounder Faheem Ashraf was acquired by Islamabad United for PKR 8.5 crore. No franchises showed interest in former national all-rounder Imad Wasim, Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Hussain Talat, Asif Afridi, and Danish Aziz.
Australia’s David Warner was purchased by Karachi Kings for PKR 7.9 crore, while South Africa’s Riley Rossouw went to Quetta Gladiators for PKR 5.55 crore.
New PSL team, Sialkot Stallions, secured Jehanzaib Sultan for PKR 60 lakh. Other players including Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam, New Zealand’s Colin Munro, and Netherlands’ George Munsey went unsold.
Fast bowler Mohammad Ali was bought by Hyderabad for PKR 2.15 crore, while Haris Rauf was retained by Lahore Qalandars for PKR 7.6 crore.
Naseem Shah joined Rawalpindi for PKR 8.65 crore, and wicket-keeper batsman Azam Khan was picked by Karachi Kings for PKR 3.25 crore. Aggressive all-rounder Sahibzada Farhan went to Sialkot Stallions for PKR 5.7 crore.
Bangladesh off-spinner Rashid Hussain joined Rawalpindi for PKR 3 crore, while young Pakistani spinner Mehran Mumtaz was acquired by Islamabad United for PKR 1.25 crore. Faisal Akram joined Quetta Gladiators for PKR 1.25 crore.
Other notable picks included Osama Mir to Lahore Qalandars for PKR 3.5 crore, Jahandad Khan to Quetta Gladiators for PKR 2.5 crore, national T20 captain Salman Ali Agha to Karachi Kings for PKR 5.85 crore, and aggressive opener Fakhar Zaman retained by Lahore Qalandars for PKR 7.95 crore.
New Zealand’s middle-order batsman Daryl Mitchell was acquired by Rawalpindi for PKR 8.05 crore, while Australia’s Max Bryant went to Islamabad United for PKR 1.95 crore.
Fast bowlers Khurram Shehzad joined Peshawar Zalmi for PKR 2.7 crore, Mohammad Amir went to Rawalpindi for PKR 5.4 crore, and young pacer Ubaid Shah was picked by Lahore Qalandars for PKR 2.7 crore. Kusal Perera was bought by Hyderabad for PKR 3.1 crore.
Wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Haris returned to Peshawar Zalmi for PKR 2.2 crore, while Khawaja Nafees went to Quetta Gladiators for PKR 6.5 crore. Haseebullah Khan joined Lahore Qalandars for PKR 1.1 crore.
In the second round after the lunch break, no franchises showed interest in Kiwi players Jimmy Neesham, Michael Bracewell, or Pakistani middle-order batsman Iftikhar Ahmed.
Shahid Aziz was acquired by Karachi Kings for PKR 92.5 lakh, Mohammad Irfan Khan Niazi by Hyderabad Kingsmen for PKR 2.9 crore, left-handed batsman Abdullah Fazal to Rawalpindi for PKR 67.5 lakh, and Kiwi batsman Mark Chapman to Islamabad United for PKR 7 crore.
