Ramiz Raja determined to bring auction model in HBL PSL from next season

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Raja is aiming to bring the auction model in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) and replace it with the draft system in season eight of the competition.

HBL PSL has seen a draft system since its inception in 2016 but to compete with the Indian Premier League (IPL) in terms of generating finances, Ramiz Raja is eyeing to introduce auction system from 2023.

"We need to create new properties to be financially independent. We have nothing for now but the PSL and ICC funds. There's an argument over the model from next year; I want to switch it to an auction model from next year. The market forces are conducive, but we'll sit down with the franchise owners to discuss it," Ramiz Raja told to ESPNCricinfo.

Ramiz opined that increasing the cricket economy in the country will allow them to rise in the cricketing world.

"This is a game of money. When the cricket economy grows in Pakistan, our respect will rise. The main driver of that financial economy is the PSL. If we take the PSL to auction model, increase the purse, then I'll put it in the IPL bracket. And then we'll see who goes to play 

Meanwhile, Ramiz is also looking to stage HBL PSL in more than two venues. Season five was hosted in four cities but after the Covid-19 outbreak, PCB is restricted to host the matches in Karachi and Lahore only.

"We want the PSL to be on a home and away basis from next year. The gate money will be excellent, and we want to elevate the concept of the PSL," he added.

"Every side's purse will increase, and if they want to improve they'll have to spend money. When you go from a draft system to this, the world's talent suddenly becomes available to you. I've spoken to a couple of the franchise owners; they're quite happy to experiment with this. I'll talk to the others, too. It's in the embryonic stages, but it's top of my wish list."

Women's PSL

As reported earlier, Ramiz is vying to introduce Women's PSL from next year. Former captain further added that regularising women's cricket is the need of the hour. He also defended Pakistan's performance at the Women's World Cup where they have now lost four matches in a trot.

"We want to regularise the women's cricket calendar. The more they play the better they'll be," Ramiz said. "You can't just go into hibernation and then expect them to beat Australia. It's not going to happen. We have our limitations and cultural issues, and to get out of that we have to fix their calendar. They need to play first-class-style three-day matches. Then look at selection and U19 structure.

"We want to sign up young girls and develop them. Right now, the excitement is we might launch a T20 league before India, and the world can't believe that because there's a particular perception around Pakistan that needs to be broken."

"In January-February, we're thinking of the women's PSL. There's a lot of traction and a lot of takers for it. Pak women's cricket needs to improve a lot, and that will only happen when we give them an environment where they can make money and share the dugout with world-class players.

"We are also thinking of making first class women's teams and attaching them with provincial teams. They don't play much cricket and operate on a trial-and-error basis."