Islamabad, Dec 13: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is preparing for its 10th season, scheduled to run from April 8 to May 19, 2024, according to sources. Newly appointed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) CEO Salman Naseer has already begun holding online meetings to ensure smooth preparations, with the player draft for PSL 10 set for January 11.
The PCB aims to invite prominent players who went unsold in the Indian Premier League (IPL) to join the PSL. However, the current salary cap of $200,000 per player has raised concerns, with both the PCB and franchise owners worried that this limit could deter top international stars.
While direct contracts were previously rejected by the franchises, the PCB is now reconsidering this option for PSL 10, potentially allowing teams to negotiate directly with player agents.
Some franchises, however, remain opposed to bypassing the draft, insisting that marquee players should go through the standard selection process.
If direct contracts are introduced, bidding wars could occur between franchises. For instance, if one team offers a player $400,000 and another offers $500,000, the player would likely choose the higher offer. This could lead to dissatisfaction among players locked in at the $200,000 cap, including domestic Pakistani players who may feel undervalued.
