Six HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises have confirmed their retained players for the 2026 season, as the league prepares to hold its first-ever player auction, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced.
The auction is scheduled to take place on February 11, 2026, marking a significant shift from the traditional draft-based player selection system used in previous PSL editions. Under the revised rules, each franchise was allowed to retain up to four players, one in each designated category.
A Major Shift in PSL Structure
The move to an auction system represents a structural change aimed at increasing transparency, competitiveness, and commercial appeal of the league. League officials believe the auction format will allow franchises greater flexibility in squad-building while giving players clearer market valuation.
For the 2026 season, franchises were permitted to retain players across the Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Emerging categories, providing teams an opportunity to preserve their core before entering the auction pool.
Retained Players by Franchise
Lahore Qalandars retained captain Shaheen Shah Afridi in the Platinum category. Abdullah Shafique was named as Diamond, Sikandar Raza as Gold, and Mohammad Naeem in the Silver category.
Peshawar Zalmi once again placed their trust in Babar Azam, retaining him as a Platinum player. Sufyan Moqim was retained in Diamond, Abdul Samad in Gold, and Ali Raza as an Emerging player.
Karachi Kings retained fast bowler Hasan Ali in the Platinum category. Mohammad Abbas Afridi was named Diamond, Khushdil Shah Gold, while Saad Baig was retained as an Emerging player.
Islamabad United opted to retain three players. Shadab Khan was kept in the Platinum category, Salman Irshad in Gold, and Andries Gous in Silver.
Quetta Gladiators retained Abrar Ahmed as their Platinum player. Usman Tariq was named in Diamond, Hasan Nawaz in Gold, and Shamyl Hussain was retained in the Emerging category.
Multan Sultans Take a Different Route
In a notable decision, Multan Sultans did not retain any players, choosing instead to rebuild their squad entirely through the auction process. The move gives the franchise maximum flexibility but also places added pressure on the auction strategy.
What Happens Next
Two newly added franchises, Sialkot and Hyderabad, are yet to announce their player retentions. Both teams have been given time until February 7 to submit their final lists.
The upcoming auction will complete team squads for the 2026 edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League, with expectations of strong interest from local and international players.
