PSL 12: retention deadline set for January 13

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has set January 13, 2027, as the deadline for all eight franchises to finalise their retained players ahead of the Season 12 auction on January 23.

Under the approved regulations, each franchise can retain up to seven players, including a directly signed player. However, teams retaining the maximum number must release one player from the highest price category of the previous auction into the general player pool.

The rules were finalised during a meeting of franchise representatives at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, chaired by PSL CEO Salman Naseer. Discussions covered player retention, direct signings, trading windows, squad sizes and salary limits.

Each franchise will have a standard salary cap of Rs450 million, which will rise to Rs505 million for teams meeting the conditions related to direct signings. Franchises must also spend at least Rs365 million on their squads.

Meanwhile, the direct signing window will remain open until November 23, 2026. Each team can directly sign one marquee player who did not feature in either PSL 10 or PSL 11.

The January 23 auction will be only the second player auction in the league’s history. The retention deadline also gives franchises time to assess emerging talent during ongoing domestic T20 competitions before making their final decisions.