The HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) player auction began in Lahore’s Expo Centre for the first time in the league’s history on Wednesday.

Unlike previous editions, where teams selected players through a draft, this year’s eight-team event will see franchises acquire players via auction.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi arrives at the venue.

Multan Sultans will participate under their new ownership and with a new name, “Rawalpindi,” in the tournament.

In the first lot for all-rounders, Pakistani all-rounder Faheem Ashraf was acquired by Islamabad United for Rs85 million.

Other Pakistani all-rounders, including Imad Wasim, Mohammad Junaid, Mehdi Hassan Miraz, Hussain Talat, Asif Afridi, Danish Aziz, and Mohammad Zeeshan, did not attract any bids from franchises.

In the second lot, David Warner was bought by Karachi Kings for Rs79 million. Former South African player Riley Rossouw was acquired by Quetta Gladiators for Rs55.5 million.

The auction represents a major shift in the PSL’s player recruitment process and is expected to add excitement and transparency to team compositions for the upcoming season.

This is a developing story and will be updated with further details.