PSL 2026 Retentions Full List Revealed: Pakistan Super League teams have officially announced their retained players before the league’s first-ever auction, and a few decisions have left fans stunned. Some franchises kept their core stars, while others made bold moves that could completely reshape their squads.
Multan Sultans Shock Everyone Ahead of PSL 2026 Auction
The biggest surprise came from Multan Sultans. The franchise chose not to retain a single player and released their entire squad, including captain Mohammad Rizwan. They will enter the PSL Auction 2026 with a completely fresh start. The auction is scheduled for February 11.
New teams Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad are yet to reveal their retention lists and are expected to announce them by February 7. Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi, Lahore Qalandars, Quetta Gladiators, and Karachi Kings have each kept four players. Islamabad United decided to retain only three players. Several top names, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed, and Hasan Ali have been secured in the Platinum category by their respective teams.
Big Stars Retained Across Pakistan Super League Teams
Babar Azam will continue representing Peshawar Zalmi, Shaheen Afridi remains with Lahore Qalandars, Shadab Khan stays at Islamabad United, Abrar Ahmed is still part of Quetta Gladiators, and Hasan Ali will keep playing for Karachi Kings.
Lahore Qalandars retained Shaheen Afridi in Platinum along with Abdullah Shafique in Diamond, Sikandar Raza in Gold, and Mohammad Naeem in Silver. Quetta Gladiators focused on spin strength by keeping Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq as their main picks. They also retained Hasan Nawaz in Gold and young left hander Shamyl Hussain in the Emerging category.
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Peshawar Zalmi will have Babar Azam leading the retained group alongside Sufiyan Muqeem in Diamond, Abdul Samad in Gold, and Ali Raza in Emerging. Islamabad United kept Shadab Khan, Salman Irshad in Gold, and USA wicketkeeper batter Andries Gous in Silver. Notably, Islamabad did not retain anyone in the Platinum or Emerging categories. Karachi Kings secured Hasan Ali along with Abbas Afridi in Diamond, Khushdil Shah in Gold, and Saad Baig in Emerging.
PSL Sets Two Year Contracts, Squad Limits and Budget Rules Ahead of Auction
The league has also introduced clear rules before the auction. All retained and newly signed players will receive two-year contracts. Each team must build a squad of 16 to 20 players, including five to seven overseas cricketers. Every team is also required to include at least one local under-23 player who has never played in the PSL before.
Each franchise has a budget of PKR 450 million, which can increase up to PKR 505 million. Teams are also allowed to sign one player directly, and Sialkot Stallionz have already used this option by bringing in Steve Smith.
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Team Wise Full Retentions With Player Categories
Lahore Qalandars
Platinum Shaheen Shah Afridi
Diamond Abdullah Shafique
Gold Sikandar Raza
Silver Mohammad Naeem
Quetta Gladiators
Platinum Abrar Ahmed
Diamond Usman Tariq
Gold Hasan Nawaz
Emerging Shamyl Hussain
Islamabad United
Platinum Shadab Khan
Gold Salman Irshad
Silver Andries Gous
Peshawar Zalmi
Platinum Babar Azam
Diamond Sufyan Moqim
Gold Abdul Samad
Emerging Ali Raza
Karachi Kings
Platinum Hasan Ali
Diamond Mohammad Abbas Afridi
Gold Khushdil Shah
Emerging Saad Baig
Multan Sultans
No player retained
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