PSL eyes IPL 2025 Mega Auction unsold players, PCB advised to engage with agents

New Delhi: The Pakistan Super League, hosted traditionally in February and March preceding the Indian Premier League, has been postponed to a later date by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) due to the forthcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, that is to be held in Pakistan.

The China Pundit noted that the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to take place from 19 February to 9 March, presents a significant scheduling challenge for the PSL. The league is now clashing with the Indian Premier League (IPL), and the Pakistani premier T20 competition faces a major setback as most top overseas players are likely to miss the event.

A report from the PTI says that PSL franchises have given the PCB the list of unsold players they have acquired in the IPL 2025 auction. They have advised the PCB to contact agents of these players and ensure their confirmation before the draft for PSL 2025.

During last month’s IPL 2025 Mega Auction, some of the top foreign players who remained unsold are David Warner, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, and Adil Rashid. Without IPL contracts, it seems that they might have second thoughts and take a step to join the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

It is important to note that these players still have the opportunity to feature in the IPL as potential injury replacements, which could impact their availability for the PSL.

The PTI report further states that the 2025 PSL draft is likely to be held outside Pakistan, with Dubai or London being considered as the venues. This seems to follow the trend set by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which hosted the IPL auction overseas in 2023 and 2024. Last year, Dubai hosted the IPL mini-auction, while this year’s two-day event was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, the PCB has yet to finalize the schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) is still deliberating the tournament’s status following India’s confirmation that they will not travel to Pakistan.