ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): All previous Pakistan Super League (PSL) teams have announced retentions ahead of the 11th edition of the tournament, scheduled to be played from March 26 to May 3, 2026.
For the first time in the league’s history, the players will be auctioned, replacing the traditional draft system.
Previously, for PSL’s first 10 years, franchises were allowed to retain up to eight players. As per the revised regulation, each team was allowed to retain a total of four players from as many categories.
Karachi Kings, the champions of the fifth-edition of PSL, retained Hasan Ali in the Platinum category, Abbas Afridi in Diamond, Khushdil Shah in Gold, and Saad Baig in the Emerging category.
Defending champions Lahore Qalandars has aslo announced the list of their retained players. It includes Shaheen Afridi in the Platinum category, Abdullah Shafique from Diamond, Sikandar Raza from Gold, and Mohammad Naeem from Silver, while opting not to retain any player from the Emerging category.
Similarly, three-time champions Islamabad United confirmed skipper Shadab Khan, Salman Irshad, and Andries Gous as their retention. They opted not to retain any player from the Diamond and Emerging categories.
Quetta Galadiators, on the other hand, retained spinner Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, Hassan Nawaz, and Shamyl Hussain. They have been retained in the Platinum, Diamond, Gold, and Emerging categories, respectively.
While Peshawar Zalmi decided to retain star batter and captain Babar Azam in the Platinum category, Sufiyan Muqeem in Diamond, Abdul Samad in Gold, and Ali Raza in the Emerging category.
The upcoming edition will also mark a major expansion of the league, with the Pakistan Super League set to grow from six to eight teams. Hyderabad and Sialkot Stallionz are the newest additions to the PSL family and will make their debut in the forthcoming season.
The newest teams, Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad, will finalise their direct signing of four players by February 6, while the PSL 11 Player Auction will take place on February 11.
The released players from every team are available for the two new franchises, who are allowed to secure one player per category to build their base before the auction.
