PSL Draft – PSL 2026 Direct Player Signing
In PSL 11, every franchise will now be allowed to directly sign players. This time, the PCB and PSL management have decided to allow franchises to sign players directly.
Also Check: PSL 11 Draft
PSL 2026 Direct Player Signing
Each franchise will be given the freedom to directly sign up to two foreign players of their choice by contacting them personally. First, every franchise will be informed that they can select any two foreign players.
The franchise will directly approach the player, negotiate the deal, and agree on the payment. This communication will take place only between the franchise and the player, without PSL management being involved.
Also Check: PSL 2026 Schedule
How Direct Player Signing Works?
If a franchise wants to sign Glenn Maxwell, they will directly contact him, finalize the deal, and once the agreement is completed, the player will be signed. The agreed amount will be paid by the franchise, and the player will represent that franchise in PSL 11. Such players will not be part of the player draft, as this will be a direct signing.
This system will work similarly to what was recently seen in the Big Bash League, where players like Babar Azam were signed directly. The same direct signing model will be introduced in PSL.
A player pool will still be created. Around 202 foreign players will be included in this pool, and franchises will be informed that they can choose any two players from it for direct signing. This process will take place before the draft. The draft and direct signing will be two separate processes.
Franchises will first complete their direct signings by negotiating deals with players of their choice. After that, the regular player draft will take place as usual. The direct signing option will be provided before the draft, not during it.
According to reports, the PSL player draft is expected to be held on 30 January in Islamabad. The official date will be confirmed after the auction of the two new teams. Direct signings are expected to be completed before the draft, possibly in mid or late January, once the player pool is announced.
This new system removes fixed category pricing for foreign players. Instead of set Platinum or Diamond prices, franchises will negotiate directly with players. This is expected to attract more big-name players to PSL through direct deals.
So far, the Pakistan Cricket Board has not officially confirmed the direct signing policy, but reports suggest it is likely to be introduced. If implemented, franchises will have the freedom to sign any two players directly, while the draft process will continue separately.
