Most likely outcome: 4 retentions + 1 RTM (Right to Match)
This formula preserves legacy value while allowing Sialkot and Hyderabad to compete immediately—without turning the draft into a token exercise.
As one insider quipped:
aag lagay basti main, Kamil Khan apni masti main
—confidence is high, but consensus is inevitable.
Draft Day: January 30 Will Define PSL 11
With PSL 11 slated to begin March 26 (44 matches, five venues), the mega draft around January 30 is where theory meets execution.
Each PSL franchise enters the draft with a base purse of USD 1.3 million, supplemented by an additional USD 100,000 from the PCB. On top of this, every team also receives USD 500,000 as a commercial support fund. While this fund is technically meant for commercial activities, most franchises routinely deploy a significant portion of it toward player acquisitions—with the notable exception of Peshawar Zalmi, which typically channels it into brand ambassadors and marketing. In practical terms, this structure allows every team to comfortably stretch its effective auction spending to around USD 2 million.
What Sialkot Is Targeting
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Leadership from Australians (6–7 names already contacted)
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3–4 overseas players, not retirees
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Local Sialkot talent on merit
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Preference for Pakistani national players
Coaching will prioritize local expertise first, with foreign specialists only if gaps remain.
Captaincy Question: Why Rizwan Isn’t a Natural Fit
The elephant in the room is Mohammad Rizwan.
Despite his stature, there is visible resistance—both stylistic and strategic—to making him the face of a brand-new franchise:
