PCB sets 13 January 2027 deadline for PSL 12 player retentions

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has set 13 January 2027 as the deadline for franchises to submit their player retentions for the 12th edition of the Pakistan Super League. The decision was taken at a special PSL season 12 operations workshop, where the board finalised decisions on retentions, auction rules, franchise budgets and squad structures.

Representatives of all franchises attended the workshop. They unanimously agreed on the retention regulations, the player auction conditions and the squad-size framework. All eight teams gave unanimous approval to the auction rules.

The PCB said the retention date was chosen with the National T20 Cup schedule in mind, so that local cricketers can impress franchises in domestic cricket before the deadline.

Under the rules, each franchise may retain a maximum of seven players. A team that retains all seven must release its most expensive player from the previous auction into the auction pool.

On finances, the salary cap for each franchise is Rs450 million, about $1.6 million. A franchise that makes direct signings, retains a direct signing from a previous season, or does both will have its cap raised to Rs505 million. Every franchise must also spend at least Rs365 million during the player auction.

The direct signing window stays open until 23 November. Franchises may directly sign only overseas players who did not take part in either of the previous two PSL seasons.

The workshop was chaired by PCB's PSL CEO Salman Naseer. According to Daily Times, he said participants debated every single clause of the new auction rules and financial guidelines thoroughly. Minute Mirror reported that he called the workshop an important milestone and pointed to the spirit of cooperation among franchises.

Daily Times also reported that PCB officials confirmed technical preparation, venue logistics and broadcasting arrangements are progressing according to schedule.