PCB opens direct signings window for PSL 12 and announces pre-season roadmap

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) opened the direct signings window for all eight Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises on Friday. The board also unveiled the official pre-season roadmap for the twelfth edition of the premier T20 tournament. PCB officials confirmed that PSL 12 will take place from March 18 to May 2 next year. Consequently, the player-movement cycle began immediately, leading up to the official Player Auction scheduled for January 23. Read More: PCB approves increase in players match fees, along with PSL 12 PSL 12 will feature forty-four total matches played across an expanded forty-six-day tournament window across the country. For the first time in league history, organizers plan to host fixtures across five to six regional venues. Under the new direct signing rules, each franchise can acquire one marquee player who did not play in PSL 10 or 11. Franchise owners have until November 23 to complete direct marquee player signings ahead of upcoming trade deadlines. In a major structural reform, the PCB formally aligned national domestic T20 competitions with the PSL pre-season calendar. The National T20 Gold and Silver tournaments will now serve as the primary talent identification pathway for franchise teams. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi described the upcoming season as the league's most ambitious expansion project to date. He emphasized that hosting matches in additional cities will build upon the record attendance figures recorded during previous finals. League Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer highlighted that expanding venue locations brings world-class cricket closer to fans nationwide. The announcement follows the successful landmark 2026 season, which expanded the league to eight teams with two new franchises. During that edition, Peshawar Zalmi claimed their second championship title after defeating debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen before a record crowd. However, previous regional security tensions and fuel shortages had temporarily forced organizers to consolidate matches in major hubs. Read More: PCB receives 12 bids for two new Pakistan Super League franchises Franchise management teams will meet with board representatives next week during an official workshop to finalize roster retention rules. Officials plan to announce full venue details, complete match schedules, and commercial broadcasting arrangements over coming weeks. Meanwhile, domestic players prepare for upcoming National T20 competitions hoping to secure lucrative franchise contracts during January's auction. Ultimately, the PCB aims to deliver an accessible and thrilling T20 tournament for cricket enthusiasts across Pakistan.