The Pakistan Super League's 11th season player auction began in Lahore with fast bowler Naseem Shah sold to Rawalpindi for a whopping Rs86.5 million. Eight franchises started bidding on spinners after completing the wicket-keepers round earlier. This year, PSL shifted to an auction format from the previous draft system. Rawalpindi also bought Bangladeshi spinner Rishaad Hossain for Rs30 million. Some players like Mamoon Imtiaz and Ali Majid went unsold. Quetta Gladiators snapped up Faisal Akram at Rs12.5 million. Sialkot Stallionz won Sahibzada Farhan at Rs57 million, despite losing Azam Khan to Karachi Kings for Rs32.5 million. In fast bowlers, Muhammad Ali was purchased by Hyderabad Houstan Kingsmen for Rs21.5 million. Lahore Qalandars retained Haris Rauf after a fierce bid war with Rawalpindi. Karachi Kings first bid Rs65 million for Naseem Shah, but Rawalpindi outbid them at Rs86.5 million. David Warner joined Karachi Kings at Rs79 million after a tense contest. For all-rounders, Islamabad United secured Faheem Ashraf at Rs85 million. Other known all-rounders failed to attract bids. Karachi Kings won captain Salman Ali Agha for Rs58.5 million. PSL CEO Salman Naseer said the transition to the auction was tough but rewarding. Over 800 players registered, with base prices set between Rs6 million and Rs42 million. Teams will have 16 to 20 players, including three to four foreign players in the playing XI. The tournament runs from March 26 to May 3 and features two new teams: Hyderabad and Sialkot, bringing the total franchises to eight. Franchise player contracts are for two years, with rules for retentions and direct foreign signings. The auction promises to spice up the season with fresh talent and fierce battles.