Pakistan Super League: Why PSL Teams May Not Attract High Profile Players Who Remained Unsold in IPL Auction?

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Pakistan Super League (PSL) team owners were hopeful of landing some big name players that remained unsold at the IPL Mega Auction, but there is one big reason which may stop them from signing up these high-profile names in the upcoming PSL 2025 Draft.

For the first time, the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the PSL will be held at the same time - during the April-May window next year due to the Champions Trophy 2025 likely to be held in the original PSL window.

Despite the two tournament schedule clashing, the PSL owners and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were hopeful of landing some of the prominent names that did not have takers at the IPL Mega Auction, which was held in November.

David Warner, Steve Smith, Jonny Bairstow, Kane Williamson and Adil Rashid were among the players who remained unsold the auction, providing PSL an opportunity to rope these players in as they remain available for the entire tournament, which will be staged from April 8 and May 19.

However, the PCB and the franchise owners in the PSL are reportedly facing a catch-22 situation over signing of some of the high profile overseas players who went unsold in the IPL auction recently.

Why PSL teams may not sign high profile players who remained unsold in IPL Auction?

According to a report in PTI, the six franchise owners were keen to rope in some of the high profile players available after the IPL auction, but the main thing that could put them off is the salary ceiling of USD 200,000 for players in the Pakistan Super League players draft.

The report further quoted the source as saying, "But the problem is that with the players draft scheduled on January 11 time is running out to find a formula to sign on high profile players and also ensure a sense of disparity doesn't develop among players in the PSL."

The source also explained that the PCB and franchise owners were aware that it was unlikely most of the high profile players unsold in the IPL would sign for under USD 200,000. Hence, there is very little chance of the big name stars registering for the PSL 2025 Draft, scheduled to be held after the first week of January.