PSL 12: Direct signing rules finalised, player auction set for January 23

Each franchise can sign one marquee player who has not featured in the last two PSL seasons as the league prepares to expand to up to six cities.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the PSL 12 player auction will take place on January 23, 2027, while franchises will be allowed to directly sign one marquee player each under new eligibility rules.

The decisions were made during a meeting of the HBL Pakistan Super League Governing Council chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. PSL CEO Salman Naseer, franchise representatives and other officials attended the meeting.

According to the decisions, the direct signing window will run from October 23 to November 23, 2026. Each franchise will be permitted to sign one marquee player, provided the cricketer has not participated in either of the previous two PSL seasons.

The new rules give franchises an opportunity to bring high-profile players into their squads ahead of the PSL 12 player auction, which is scheduled for January 23.

The Governing Council also decided to hold a PSL cricket workshop next week as preparations for the upcoming edition gather pace.

PSL 12 will be played from March 18 to May 2, 2027, with matches scheduled across five to six cities in Pakistan as the PCB looks to expand the league's geographical reach.

The National T20 Cup Gold and Silver competitions will also be held before the PSL, providing domestic players with competitive cricket ahead of the tournament.

Speaking during the meeting, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi described the PSL as Pakistan's biggest cricketing stage and expressed confidence in building on the success of the previous edition.

Naqvi said PSL 11 had concluded in front of a record crowd and that the board wanted to carry the same momentum into the upcoming season.

He also confirmed plans to take the tournament to more cities, allowing fans across the country greater access to PSL matches.

Meanwhile, PSL CEO Salman Naseer said the competition among franchises to assemble the strongest possible squads for PSL 12 had officially begun.

With the direct signing window now open and the player auction date confirmed, franchises will begin evaluating their options ahead of the 2027 season.