PSL (File photo/Agencies)

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will shift to a player auction system from its 11th season, moving away from the draft format that has been used since the league began in 2016. The change follows a model similar to the Indian Premier League (IPL).The total purse for each PSL franchise has also been raised to USD 1.6 million from USD 1.3 million for the player auction.

PSL chief executive Salman Naseer said the changes ahead of the league’s 11th edition are aimed at strengthening the tournament.“The PSL will now transition from a draft to players auction system which should increase transparency and enhance the competitive balance of teams in the league,” Naseer said, as quoted by news agency PTI.He added that the new system would also offer players better earning opportunities.Under the revised rules, franchises will be allowed to retain a maximum of four players, with only one retention permitted in each category. Earlier, teams could retain up to eight players, along with a mentor and a brand ambassador, and use a right-to-match option to keep a ninth player during the draft.The PCB has removed the provisions for hiring mentors, brand ambassadors and the right-to-match option.Naseer said the two new teams, Hyderabad and Sialkot, will be allowed to pick four players each from the available pool before the auction.Each franchise will also be permitted one direct signing of an overseas player who did not take part in PSL 10.The 11th season of the PSL is scheduled to begin on March 26, with Faisalabad included as a venue.