The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in Pakistan that was founded in 2015. It consists of 6 franchise teams and features some of the best domestic and international cricketers. The PSL follows an auction process to build the teams, where each franchise gets to pick players to fill their squad. Apart from the main player draft, there is also a concept of the ‘Supplementary Pick’ which provides teams an extra opportunity to sign players.
What is a Supplementary Pick in PSL?
The Supplementary Pick is an additional signing chance given to PSL franchises outside of the main player draft. It allows teams to pick replacement players for the ones they couldn’t retain from previous seasons or fill any gaps in their squad composition.
The PSL grants each team 1 supplementary pick ahead of the new season. The player signed under this pick joins the team’s roster for that season. The salary cap and player limits applicable to the main draft also apply to supplementary picks.
Purpose of the Supplementary Pick
The Supplementary Pick serves multiple purposes in the PSL
- It provides flexibility to teams to account for unforeseen player retention issues before a season. Teams may fail to renew some players due to various factors like injuries, loss of form, increased salary demands, etc. The Supplementary Pick allows them to fill those spots.
- It helps maintain squad strength and balance. Teams can use it to sign reinforcements for any weak areas in their lineup like lack of all-rounders, spinners, openers, etc.
- It keeps teams engaged in squad building until the last minute before the season, maintaining fan interest. The pick generates additional buzz around player signings.
- It opens up opportunities for new capped and uncapped players to join the league. Players who went undrafted in previous seasons can get drafted as supplementary picks.
Rules for the Supplementary Pick
- The PSL has put some rules in place to regulate the usage of the Supplementary Pick:
- Each franchise gets only one Supplementary Pick per season. They have to utilize it wisely to fill a key vacancy.
- The player signed must be eligible to feature in PSL according to established criteria. They should have the required nationality or residency status.
- Salary offered must be within the franchise’s remaining salary cap after the main draft.
- All player regulations like local player quotas have to be met after the supplementary signing.
- Teams can not use the pick to sign a player released by another franchise during the same transfer window.
- The pick has to be exercised before a fixed deadline announced by the league. Teams can not utilize it once the tournament starts.
Notable Supplementary Pick Signings
Here are some noteworthy players joined PSL teams as Supplementary Picks in recent seasons:
Shadab Khan, Islamabad United- The ace leg-spinner was United’s supplementary pick in 2018 after failing to get drafted that season. He cemented his spot as their lead spinner and a future captaincy prospect.
James Vince, Multan Sultans- The England batsman was signed by Sultans in 2019 to reinforce their top order after not being retained by other teams. He scored a century in his very first PSL game.
Fabian Allen, Karachi Kings- The West Indian all-rounder joined the Kings as a supplementary pick in 2020. He was Man of the Match on his PSL debut and became an integral part of their team.
Phil Salt, Islamabad United- United chose the powerful English opener in 2021 to take Colin Munro’s place. He helped provide blistering starts at the top of the order.
The Supplementary Pick is an innovative feature in the PSL that adds additional intrigue and flexibility to squad management in the league. It has helped teams sign impact players to fill crucial vacant spots in their rosters. The pick will continue to play an important role as franchises shape their squads every season.
