PCB opens player signings window ahead of PSL 12 auction on January 23

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday opened the direct signings window for all eight HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises and announced the pre-season roadmap for the tournament’s 12th edition, scheduled to run from March 18 to May 2 next year.

The player-movement cycle has taken effect, while the player auction is scheduled for January 23.

PSL 12 will feature 44 matches, including 40 league fixtures and four playoff matches, over 46 days. For the first time in the league’s history, matches are set to be held at five to six venues.

Under the direct signing rules, each franchise will be allowed to sign one marquee player who did not feature in either PSL 10 or PSL 11. The signing window will remain open until November 23.

The PCB said a workshop with franchises next week would finalise retention deadlines, the pre-auction trade window, auction regulations and playing conditions.

In another development, the board has aligned the National T20 Gold and National T20 Silver tournaments with the PSL pre-season calendar. The competitions will serve as a pathway for identifying domestic talent and giving standout performers opportunities to enter the franchise league and potentially earn national team selection.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi described PSL 12 as the league’s most ambitious edition yet, citing plans to expand its reach to more cities.

“HBL PSL is Pakistan cricket’s biggest stage, and Season 12 will be its most ambitious yet,” Naqvi said in a statement, adding that the roadmap would give franchises, players, commercial partners and broadcasters greater certainty to plan for the season.

PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer said the move to five or six venues would bring the tournament closer to fans across the country and allow more cities to host T20 matches.

He added that franchises would begin building their squads through direct signings, trades and retention decisions in the coming weeks.

The announcement follows the 2026 season, when the PSL expanded to eight teams with the addition of Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindiz. Peshawar Zalmi won their second title after defeating debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen in the final at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, which attracted a record crowd of 32,461, according to the PCB announcement.