PSL 12 direct signings open: one marquee player per team, auction on January 23

“Pakistan Super League” is one of the top searches in Pakistan today, and the reason is simple: the race for PSL 12 squads has started. The PCB opened a direct signings window for all eight franchises on Friday, and it stays open until November 23, Dawn reported.

That means the first big names of next season could be announced within weeks, months before a ball is bowled.

What is a direct signing in PSL 12?

Each franchise can sign one marquee player directly, outside the auction. There is one condition: the player must not have played in PSL 10 or PSL 11. In other words, the PCB wants fresh star power, not teams using the window to lock in players they already know.

The rest of the rulebook is still being written. According to Dawn, a workshop with franchises next week will settle the retention deadlines, the pre-auction trade window, auction rules and playing conditions.

“From today, the race to build the best squad for HBL PSL 12 is on,” said PSL chief executive Salman Naseer. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi called Season 12 the league’s “most ambitious yet”.

When is the PSL 12 auction and when does the season start?

• Direct signings: open now, close November 23, 2026
• Player auction: January 23, 2027
• PSL 12: March 18 to May 2, 2027

The Express Tribune reports the retention deadline is pencilled in for January 13, though one owner wants it moved to December, and another suggested holding the auction in China. The final is planned for Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on May 2.

The season will have 44 matches, 40 in the league stage and four playoffs, spread over 46 days at five to six venues. One wrinkle: the South Asian Games run from April 4 to 11 in Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar, and the Tribune says no PSL games will be held in those cities during that week.

Why are PSL salaries in the news?

At a virtual meeting with franchise owners on Thursday, one owner argued that Pakistani players are paid too much and asked for a review. The PCB said no, according to the Tribune’s Saleem Khaliq.

The board also gave franchises with unpaid dues until October 31 to clear them. An official from one company in arrears told the paper it would put up a bank guarantee against land to settle the bill. The Tribune did not name the franchises involved.

How do domestic players get into the PSL now?

The PCB has lined up the National T20 Gold and Silver tournaments with the PSL calendar, so those events now work as the main scouting ground for the league, and from there possibly the national side. The board also briefed franchises on promising school cricketers.

Peshawar Zalmi are the champions after beating debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen in this year’s final. The first marquee signing, whoever makes it, will be the next headline to watch before November 23.