This glossary defines the terms used on PSL Match Schedule. Each entry gives the definition and, where we have one, how the term applied in a recent season. Where a rule belongs to one season only, the entry says which.
Last checked 23 October 2026.
Auction
A sale in which franchises bid for players, each from a fixed purse. The PSL held its first auction on 11 February 2026 for PSL 11, replacing the player draft. The PSL 12 auction is on 23 January 2027. See PSL auction rules.
Base price
The lowest amount at which bidding on a player can start. PSL 11 used four base prices: PKR 4.2, 2.2, 1.1 and 0.6 crore. A crore is ten million rupees, so PKR 4.2 crore is PKR 42 million.
Direct signing
A franchise signing a player outside the auction. For PSL 12, each of the eight franchises can sign one marquee player between 23 October and 23 November 2026, provided the player did not feature in PSL 10 or PSL 11. See PSL 12 direct signings.
Double round robin
A league format in which every team plays every other team twice. PSL 10 used it: six teams, each playing the other five twice, gave 30 league matches.
Draft
A selection system in which franchises take turns picking players from a pool. The PSL used a draft before 2026, including for PSL 10.
Eliminator
A playoff match in which the loser is out of the tournament. In the page playoff system it is played between the third- and fourth-placed teams. In PSL 10, Lahore Qalandars won the eliminator against Karachi Kings on their way to the title.
NRR (net run rate)
The average runs a team scores per over minus the average runs it concedes per over. It is used to rank teams that finish level on points. In PSL 10, Islamabad United took second place over Karachi Kings, both on 12 points, with an NRR of +0.372 against +0.049.
Overseas player
A player who is not eligible to play for Pakistan. PSL 11 allowed 5 to 7 overseas players in a squad and 3 to 4 in the playing XI.
Page playoff system
The four-match playoff used in the PSL: Qualifier 1 (first v second), the eliminator (third v fourth), Qualifier 2 (loser of Qualifier 1 v winner of the eliminator) and the final. Our guide to the PSL format and playoffs shows it as a table.
Purse
The total amount a franchise can spend at the auction. In PSL 11 it was PKR 45 crore per franchise, PKR 360 crore across the eight franchises.
Qualifier
A playoff match that gives the winner a place in the final. The side that wins Qualifier 1 goes straight to the final; the loser plays again in Qualifier 2.
Retention
A franchise keeping a player from one season to the next. The PSL 12 retention deadline has not been announced.
Trade window
The period in which franchises can exchange players with each other. The PSL 12 trade window has not been announced.
Uncapped player
A player who has not played international cricket for their country. PSL 11 required at least two uncapped players under 23 in each squad, and at least one in the playing XI. The rule applied to PSL 11 only.
Virtual group
A group used to organise the league fixtures without separating teams into different tournaments. PSL 11 split its eight teams into two virtual groups of four.
Related pages: PSL 12, PSL 11 and the PSL winners list.