Wasim Akram's Humorous Take at PSL Franchise Auction Highlights League Expansion

The recent PSL Franchise Auction in Islamabad saw former cricket star Wasim Akram steal the spotlight with his humorous remarks. As the league expands to include two new teams, Sialkot and Hyderabad, the auction highlighted the growing popularity of the PSL. Akram's witty comment about a telecom provider's bidding hesitation brought laughter to the event, showcasing his charm. The financial dynamics of the PSL were also compared to the IPL, revealing the stark differences in team valuations and player salaries. This article delves into the auction's key moments and the implications of the league's expansion.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 10, 2026, 12:08 IST

Exciting Developments at the PSL Franchise Auction

On January 8, the renowned former Pakistani fast bowler, **Wasim Akram**, made a humorous comment during the **Pakistan Super League (PSL)** Franchise Auction held in Islamabad. This year, the PSL welcomed two new teams, Sialkot and Hyderabad, bringing the total to eight teams for the upcoming 2026 season, which is set to kick off on March 26.

The Sialkot franchise fetched $6.5 million (approximately PKR 1.85 billion or INR 59 crore) from OZ Developers, while the Hyderabad team was acquired by the US-based FKS Group for $6.2 million (around PKR 1.75 billion or INR 55 crore). Together, these franchises were sold for a total of $12.75 million, equating to about INR 114-115 crore at the auction.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed the league's expansion to eight teams starting in 2024, with a formal tender launched to invite applications for the new franchises in 2025.

Wasim Akram's Comedic Moment Captivates Audience

Wasim Akram's lively presence during the auction kept attendees engaged as franchise owners deliberated their bids. His witty comment quickly became the highlight of the event. The auction for the Hyderabad team commenced first, igniting competitive bidding.

Initially priced at PKR 1.10 billion, the Hyderabad franchise's bid soared to PKR 1.55 billion before a brief pause. During this intermission, Akram observed that JazzPK, a leading telecom provider in Pakistan, seemed reluctant to continue bidding, prompting him to quip, "Balance toh katam nahi ho gaya," which translates to "The balance hasn’t run out, has it?"

This remark elicited laughter from those present, showcasing Akram's ability to lighten the atmosphere.

PSL's Growth Compared to IPL's Financial Landscape

Over the past decade, the Pakistan Super League has operated with six teams: Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators. With the addition of Sialkot and Hyderabad, the PSL is entering a new chapter with an expanded format starting in 2026.

The sale prices of the new PSL teams, ranging from 55 to 59 crore, are comparable to the salaries paid by IPL franchises to star players like Rishabh Pant (27 crore) and Shreyas Iyer (26.75 crore) in the previous season. The combined salary of these two players is 53.75 crore, nearly equivalent to the cost of a PSL franchise, highlighting the IPL's superior financial strength.

During the IPL 2026 Auction, a total of INR 215.45 crore was spent on 77 players, with INR 118 crore allocated to the top nine players. Notably, the Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders collectively invested INR 71.6 crore on the four most expensive players at the mini-auction.

This indicates that the salaries of IPL players often exceed the total valuation of a PSL team. Currently, Sialkot stands as the most valuable franchise at $6.5 million, surpassing the Multan Sultans' valuation of $6.3 million. However, even the highest-valued PSL franchise cannot compete with the financial scale of IPL signings.

Despite the PSL's expansion with two new franchises, the league's financial framework remains significantly smaller than the market value of individual IPL franchises, illustrating that a single top IPL team is worth considerably more than an entire new PSL team.