Six franchises, including defending champions Lahore Qalandars, have confirmed their player retentions ahead of the 2026 HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Wednesday (4). The finalization marks a critical step in shaping squads for the league’s 11th season.
Lahore Qalandars have retained four key players across categories: Shaheen Shah Afridi in Platinum, Abdullah Shafique in Diamond, Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza in Gold, and emerging talent Mohammad Naeem in Silver. Qalandars captain Shaheen remains the only player to have won the PSL three times, making his retention a strategic priority for the champions.
Quetta Gladiators have opted to retain mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed in Platinum, Usman Tariq in Diamond, HBL PSL X Player of the Tournament Hasan Nawaz in Gold, and left-handed batter Shamyl Hussain as their emerging talent. Accordingly, Peshawar Zalmi have kept Babar Azam, the leading run-getter in PSL history and one of only two players to feature in 100 PSL games, in Platinum. Zalmi also retained left-arm wrist-spinner Sufyan Moqim (Diamond), Abdul Samad (Gold), and pacer Ali Raza (Emerging).
Shadab Khan’s nine-year tenure with Islamabad United continues as he is retained in Platinum, alongside fast bowler Salman Irshad (Gold) and USA wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous (Silver). Karachi Kings have confirmed Hasan Ali in Platinum, with Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah, and Saad Baig retained in Diamond, Gold, and Emerging categories, respectively.
The two new franchises, Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad, are expected to announce their retentions by Saturday, February 7. Multan Sultans, in a surprise move, have chosen not to retain any players from their previous squad, opening the field for fresh talent in the upcoming auction.
The first-ever PSL player auction will take place on February 11, setting the stage for high-stakes bidding and team strategies ahead of PSL 11. With marquee players confirmed, emerging stars retained, and franchises preparing for the historic auction, the countdown to the next season has officially begun.
Full retentions:
- Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Platinum), Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold) and Mohammad Naeem (Silver)
- Quetta Gladiators: Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hasan Nawaz (Gold) and Shamyl Hussain (Emerging)
- Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (Platinum), Salman Irshad (Gold) and Andries Gous (Silver)
- Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (Platinum), Sufyan Moqim (Diamond), Abdul Samad (Gold) and Ali Raza (Emerging)
- Karachi Kings: Hasan Ali (Platinum), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold) and Saad Baig (Emerging)
- Multan Sultans: Zero retentions
