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.

 

[AZulfi]

If Pakistan makes the semis of next year's World T20, things will likely change.

In the meantime, instead of rona dhona, we should focus on making PSL more competitive. This year's PSL was not really entertaining—too many one-sided games.

 

[RyanRyan10]

If Pakistan makes the semis of next year's World T20, things will likely change.

In the meantime, instead of rona dhona, we should focus on making PSL more competitive. This year's PSL was not really entertaining—too many one-sided games.

Babar & Rizwan should be blamed for this. They lost to the USA and every other team. The rankings dropped to no.8. They destroyed the brand of Pakistan cricket.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Babar & Rizwan should be blamed for this. They lost to the USA and every other team. The rankings dropped to no.8. They destroyed the brand of Pakistan cricket.

The same babar and rizwan got picked in BBL... The brand was not destroyed then???

Bro stop putting every blame on them... There was no Pak in hundred also.. there are many leagues where there is not many guys get picked...

 

[RyanRyan10]

The same babar and rizwan got picked in BBL... The brand was not destroyed then???

Bro stop putting every blame on them... There was no Pak in hundred also.. there are many leagues where there is not many guys get picked...

BBL is looking to boost viewership, so they brought in these two. These two were getting unsold in the Hundred when Amir and Imad were getting picked.

Rizwan was made to bat at number 7 yesterday because SNP didn't trust him in a chase where the required rate had climbed. If this is how one of the biggest names of your cricket is going to be treated at the franchise level then you must realize that the brand has diminished.

 

[Rana]

I don’t understand how Rizwan couldn’t make it into any SAT20 side

 

[BouncerGuy]

BBL is looking to boost viewership, so they brought in these two

So you accept that these 2 guys can boost it... OK

 

[Rana]

So you accept that these 2 guys can boost it... OK

Yes,

I genuinely tune in to CPL matches of Rizwan to see him make a joke of himself.

 

[Rana]

For me it’s comedy gold to see Rizwan batting in the first place, and then to be expected to bat at a high pace in T20 is just the icing on the cake.

This era of pure joy and laughter will not last. Enjoy it while it does dear cricket fans!

 

[BouncerGuy]

Yes,

I genuinely tune in to CPL matches of Rizwan to see him make a joke of himself.

Happy chap.... good for you brother... enjoy

 

[DeadlyVenom]

BBL is looking to boost viewership, so they brought in these two. These two were getting unsold in the Hundred when Amir and Imad were getting picked.

Rizwan was made to bat at number 7 yesterday because SNP didn't trust him in a chase where the required rate had climbed. If this is how one of the biggest names of your cricket is going to be treated at the franchise level then you must realize that the brand has diminished.

Rizwans was an odd selection in general. The ST Nevis Patriots didn't do a good scouting job, they replaced a bowler with a batting wicket keeper who can only bat in the opener position that they have already filled.

Blame lies on them as much as Rizwan.
They have also under utilised Abbas Afridi. They bat him at 9 and give him one over a game to bowl. I wonder who their selectors are.

 

[RyanRyan10]

So you accept that these 2 guys can boost it... OK

Yes. These two have strong PR, so many fans believed they were as good as they were hyped to be. Then some people love watching them (esp Rizwan) humiliate themselves.

 

[Rana]

Then some people love watching them (esp Rizwan) humiliate themselves

This is 100% accurate

I am actually a big supporter of Amir and Imad, but I really cannot waste time to tune in and watch their games in the CPL.

For Rizwan though, I go out of my way and whatever time it is to just watch him bat. I am always entertained dare I say it.

 

[RidiculousMan]

BBL is looking to boost viewership, so they brought in these two. These two were getting unsold in the Hundred when Amir and Imad were getting picked.

Rizwan was made to bat at number 7 yesterday because SNP didn't trust him in a chase where the required rate had climbed. If this is how one of the biggest names of your cricket is going to be treated at the franchise level then you must realize that the brand has diminished.

SNP are delusional if they are still persisting with Andre Fletcher. I mean c'mon. They only could find Andre Fletcher? A guy that only performs once in a blue moon and in the rest of the matches bats at a snail pace of 120 SR

 

[Barragan]

Meh, couldn't care less!

There isn't much talent pool available around the world, with no indian players available and denying Pak players.

On top of that, Aus and Eng have busy schedules, so you're missing the cream of those players as well

 

[SherWaqar]

Too many pyjama cricket leagues..can’t keep up!

 

[Hellion]

The same babar and rizwan got picked in BBL... The brand was not destroyed then???

Bro stop putting every blame on them... There was no Pak in hundred also.. there are many leagues where there is not many guys get picked...

What BBL brand ? Even the top Australian players don't play all the BBL matches because it doesn't have a separate window and happens at the same time as their international cricket.

The likes of Starc, Cummins and Warner barely played BBL for a decade.

 

[BouncerGuy]

What BBL brand ? Even the top Australian players don't play all the BBL matches because it doesn't have a separate window and happens at the same time as their international cricket.

The likes of Starc, Cummins and Warner barely played BBL for a decade.

People rate BBL as the 2nd best after IPL.. SO yeah... BBL is brand

 

[Hellion]

People rate BBL as the 2nd best after IPL.. SO yeah... BBL is brand

Nobody seriously rates BBL as the 2nd best league.

If it was 2nd best league they wouldn't be picking overseas batsmen like Babar in the first place.

 

[JaDed]

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.

You pick Pakistani players for viewership.. increases a bit.

 

[Ball Blazer]

Nobody seriously rates BBL as the 2nd best league.

If it was 2nd best league they wouldn't be picking overseas batsmen like Babar in the first place.

Everybody except you does. One of the finest t20 leagues. What are your parameters to judge btw?

 

[Hellion]

Everybody except you does. One of the finest t20 leagues. What are your parameters to judge btw?

BS. How about rating a league which actually has their best domestic players playing consistently for one.

 

[RyanRyan10]

Everybody except you does. One of the finest t20 leagues. What are your parameters to judge btw?

BBL is no.7 acc to Cricviz

 

[jnaveen1980]

BS. How about rating a league which actually has their best domestic players playing consistently for one.

BBL is supposed to be good. But they were comfortably overtaken by others. Heck even 100 has overtaken it. BBL is the one league i am yet to watch a full match. Just grand total of 2 overs. Never hooked on to it. I have even watched one or two CPL matches for the first time this season.SA20, MLC20 definitely watched a few more. SA20 is definitely the second best. 100 is closing in. I think it will become a T20 event very soon.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Disappointing to see no Pakistani players being featured, but not surprising. All the teams are owned by Indian owners.