PSL Draft Rules – All you Need to Know

As the highly anticipated Pakistan Super League draft draws near, excitement is building among fans. The PSL is a fan favourite and we share that same enthusiasm. The draft process, which we follow closely every year, is intricate and strategic. This year, the PSL draft will take place on January 11, 2025 in Gwadar. Also Check PSL 2025 Schedule.

Fans often question why particular players are chosen while others are not. These decisions are not random. They follow a meticulous process guided by specific PSL Draft rules and a well planned strategy.

• The number of picks for each team is allowed.
• What each player category means.
• New features were introduced in this years draft.
• The types of trades that can happen between teams.
• How can players be downgraded, and what are the rules behind that process?
• The planning and execution of a successful draft.
• The role of talent hunt programs.
• Details on the mid-season trading window.

PSL Draft Preparations

The PSL 10 draft is a significant event, and its preparation phase lays the foundation for team selections. The process involves several essential steps:

Announcement of Local Player List

This stage involves unveiling players who weren’t part of the previous PSL season but are now available for selection. As the event is getting closer latest updates have been seen from the last few days like Local Player Category Renewals Announced For HBL PSL 2025

Player Categorization

The Chief Selector assigns players to specific categories, such as Emerging players or those from the Talent Hunt Program.

Category Review

Franchise teams assess player performance to determine if any category changes (upgrades or downgrades) are necessary. The PCB management then finalizes these decisions.

Foreign Player Registration

Foreign players are registered into categories like Platinum, Diamond, and others. In some cases, the registration may come with specific conditions. The PCB manages the final approval and release of the foreign player list.

Retention and Trade Window

During this phase, teams can retain up to eight players (excluding replacement picks) and participate in player trade negotiations.

Draft Day: The Final Phase

Draft day is where all pre-draft preparations culminate. Teams finalize their squads based on their draft positions and strategic goals.

PSL Draft Breakdown – Player Categories and Selection

Each team begins with up to eight retained players and can select a maximum of 18 players (with a minimum of 16). The draft process is divided into five main categories:

Platinum Category

Teams must select three players—at least one local and one foreign player. The mix can be adjusted (e.g., two locals and one foreign or vice versa). Only one more can be picked if two Platinum players are already retained.

Diamond Category

The rules for the Diamond category are similar to those of the Platinum category regarding the number of selections and the local/foreign player mix.

Gold Category

Teams make three additional picks during the Gold category. Each team must have at least three foreign players by the end of these picks.

Silver Category

Teams select five more players in the Silver category, bringing their total to 14. Silver picks cannot exceed the number of players retained in the Diamond category.

Following these well-structured phases, the PSL draft ensures a fair and strategic team-building process for all participating franchises.

PSL Supplementary and Emerging Categories

Supplementary Category Overview In the PSL draft, teams can select up to two players in the Supplementary category. However, if two players are picked, one must be a local player. If an Emerging player is selected in this category, the team may have three Emerging players. Importantly, two foreign players in the Supplementary category cannot be selected together.

Foreign Player Guidelines Teams are allowed a maximum of six foreign players but must include at least five on their squad. For the playing XI, a team can field a minimum of three and a maximum of four foreign players.

Emerging Player Requirements Each squad must have at least two Emerging players, and at least one must be in the playing XI. Emerging players must meet the following criteria:

• Be under 23 years old as of January 1 of the PSL year.
• Be a part of Pakistans domestic circuit.

Players who have represented the national Team

Emerging Player Nominations Each franchise can nominate up to three new emerging players whoved for that franchise. In case two franchises nominate the same player, the player can choose. If the player declines both nominations, they re-enter the draft.

Talent Hunt Program Players discovered through talent hunt programs (e.g., Lahore Qalandars Player Development Academy) are eligible to participate in the draft, even if they are over 23. Teams can nominate up to two players through this program, with one required to be selected in the Supplementary Round. These players are compensated similarly to Emerging players but cannot remain in this category for consecutive seasons.

PSL Draft Rules and Retention

Player Trade and Draft Rules The PSL allows franchises to trade players or draft picks within the designated Trade and Retention Windows or during the Mid-Season Trade Window. The total trade budget is capped at 12 million Pakistani Rupees, and trades must not exceed a squad’s limit.

Mid-Season Trade Window The Mid-Season Trade Window opens after each team has played four matches, lasting 72 hours. Only players who have not played in matches can be traded. Teams can make up to two trades, and the squad size must remain unchanged after any trade.

Wild Card Pick and Right to Match The Wild Card Pick allows each team to elevate a player from a lower category to a higher one. Teams are given one Wild Card Pick. The Right to Match rule will enable teams to reclaim a player chosen by another team in the same category, with the reclaiming team losing one pick and the other gaining one.

Category Downgrade Rules Teams may downgrade player categories for strategic or budgetary reasons. There are several methods for downgrading a player’s category, including:

Ambassador Role:

A retained player can be appointed ambassador during the trade/retention window. The ambassador’s salary is deducted from the draft budget.

Mentor Role:

A retained player with specific eligibility criteria can also be designated a mentor. The mentor’s salary does not count against the draft budget.

Relegation Request Process: To downgrade a player’s category, teams must follow these steps:

Player Agreement: The player must agree to the downgrade.

Submission to PCB: The team submits a formal request to the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Franchise Approval: PSL management informs all franchises, and unanimous approval is required.

Objection Handling: If objections arise, a silent bidding process may be used, with the highest bid winning the player at the downgraded category.

Ambassador and Mentor Roles

Ambassador Role: Available only during the trade/retention window. The ambassador’s salary is subtracted from the draft budget and must fall between the ceiling of their current category and the floor of the next lower category.

Conclusion

Only one mentor per team is allowed. The mentors salary is separate from the draft budget. Players eligible for the mentor role must meet specific criteria, such as captaining the national team, retiring from international cricket, or playing 100 international matches.

These PSL Draft rules ensure a dynamic, strategic, and fair approach to team composition, player management, and draft flexibility within the PSL.