Naseem, Faheem Headline Record Spending at PSL’s First Auction

The Pakistan Super League ushered in a new era with its first ever player auction, and it was pace and pedigree that drew the biggest bids. Naseem Shah emerged as the top earner, moving from Islamabad United to Rawalpindi for PKR 86.5 million, while Faheem Ashraf returned to Islamabad United for PKR 85 million.

With retentions reduced from eight players to four per team, franchises moved swiftly to reclaim familiar match winners. David Warner rejoined Karachi Kings for PKR 79 million, while Lahore Qalandars secured both Haris Rauf for PKR 76 million and Fakhar Zaman for PKR 79.5 million.

Homecomings defined much of the night. Rilee Rossouw returned to Quetta Gladiators for PKR 55 million and Hasan Ali headed back to Karachi for PKR 47.6 million.

New Zealand stars also commanded attention. Daryl Mitchell sparked a bidding war before Rawalpindi secured him for PKR 80.5 million, while Mark Chapman joined Islamabad United for PKR 70 million. Among Australians, Adam Zampa signed with Karachi for PKR 45 million and veteran Peter Siddle earned a PKR 25 million deal.

Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen strengthened their Pakistan American identity by adding USA internationals Hammad Azam and Shayan Jahangir, while also making a direct signing in Marnus Labuschagne.

The eight hour auction saw limited appetite for domestic names, though teenager Sameer Minhas fetched PKR 19 million from Islamabad. In contrast, Shahnawaz Dahani went unsold.

A reshaped PSL now promises fresh rivalries, familiar faces and record breaking stakes.

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