No Pakistani player featuring in SA20 Season 4 [Update@ Post#3]

[Ball Blazer]

The countdown to the Betway SA20 Season 4 Auction has begun, and all eyes are on the record-breaking R41 million salary cap, now officially the highest in any franchise T20 league outside of the IPL. With such staggering sums in play, the 2025 SA20 auction is expected to deliver fierce bidding wars and some jaw-dropping paydays when it takes place in Johannesburg on 9 September 2025.

The fourth season of South Africa’s premier T20 competition kicks off on 26 December 2025 and runs until 25 January 2026. With squad rules tightened and only six players allowed as pre-signings or retentions per team, franchises have a lot of ground to cover, and 72 player slots will be up for grabs. Each team can retain a maximum of three South Africans and three overseas players, with the rest to be picked during the live auction.

Auction Format and Spending Rules

The auction will proceed as usual with players entering with a base reserve price, and teams allowed to splurge within the R41-million salary cap. Additionally, each team is allowed one Wildcard signing, which can be a local or overseas player and won’t count against the salary cap. That opens the door for blockbuster late deals.

A new twist this season is the Right to Match (RTM) Card, giving teams the ability to reclaim a player they had in Season 3 if another team wins the bid. The number of RTM cards available will depend on how many local players a team has pre-retained.

Youth & Local Talent Still in Focus

In a change from previous years, the Rookie Draft has been scrapped, and instead, each franchise is required to sign at least two Under-23 South African players. This ensures that even as the money grows, the league’s long-term commitment to local talent remains intact.

Source: https://www.sa20.co.za/season-4-auction

 

[BouncerGuy]

As per reports:

40 Pakistani cricketers, including Saim Ayub, Azam Khan, Imam-ul-Haq, and Abrar Ahmed, have registered for the SA20 Season 4 auction on September 9 in Johannesburg. Despite regular participation, no Pakistani player has been picked in the league’s first three seasons.

With USD 7.4 million available across six franchises to fill 84 slots, Pakistani players are hopeful to break the selection drought. The influence of Indian investors and IPL franchise owners remains a key factor in selection dynamics.

The tournament runs from December 26 to January 25, with MI Cape Town defending their title and Newlands hosting both the opening match and final.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Once again Indian domination in the SA20... no Pakistani player has been picked in this edition either.

That’s how the game has been politicized and the divide further deepened.

 

[Savak]

Once again Indian domination in the SA20... no Pakistani player has been picked in this edition either.

That’s how the game has been politicized and the divide further deepened.

Indians deliberately didn't pick our top T-20 players who were in high demand in all T-20 leagues in their primes like Afridi, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Akmal, why will they pick the current batch of players who are no wear near as good.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Indians deliberately didn't pick our top T-20 players who were in high demand in all T-20 leagues in their primes like Afridi, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Akmal, why will they pick the current batch of players who are no wear near as good.

only pakistan citizens couldn't play. Pakistan born citizens of other countries still played. Imran Tahir, Azhar Mahmood, Sikandar Raza all played for various franchisees.

 

[Slim]

Once again Indian domination in the SA20... no Pakistani player has been picked in this edition either.

That’s how the game has been politicized and the divide further deepened.

Honestly, who cares? Our players are paid well enough through their contracts and PSL. They dont need infinite money. Remember self respect > anything in this world.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Out of those the only one worthy of being picked is Saim.

Imam doesn't get picked for his home franchise league who's going to pick him as an international pick where slots are limited?

Azam is too unprofessional for SA20 and would embarrass the league and Abrar doesn't have enough utility to be an overseas pick.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Hassan Nawaz hasn't registered in any league/s right? I like the fact that his focus is on himself and National team. He probably understand leagues and money will come automatically.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Only mystery spinners are in demand from Asian teams. Big hitters are picked from SENA teams and West Indies. Can anyone blame them? Current pakistan batting unit is not even remotely close to many SENA big hitters. Jordan Cox is a monsterous hitter. He has not even made debut for his country. Jo Root discarded from T20 set up where Salman Ali Agha is captain of Pakistan.

 

[U$ofA]

Indians deliberately didn't pick our top T-20 players who were in high demand in all T-20 leagues in their primes like Afridi, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Akmal, why will they pick the current batch of players who are no wear near as good.

In their defense, Akmal's "prime" lasted all of five days!

 

[U$ofA]

Honestly, who cares? Our players are paid well enough through their contracts and PSL. They dont need infinite money. Remember self respect > anything in this world.

The players should determine how money is enough for them. They obviously feel different. Which is why they signed up for the auction.

 

[Slim]

The players should determine how money is enough for them. They obviously feel different. Which is why they signed up for the auction.

They put their name and they didnt get selected. Next time they probably wouldnt bother. End of story.

 

[U$ofA]

They put their name and they didnt get selected. Next time they probably wouldnt bother. End of story.

That is likely true. But different from the point I was trying to make.