The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday confirmed the PSL 2026 retentions, with six franchises announcing players kept ahead of HBL PSL Season 11. Defending champions Lahore Qalandars retained a balanced core, while Multan Sultans shocked fans by opting for zero retentions.
All franchises except Islamabad United retained four players each, with United holding on to three. Meanwhile, the two new franchises, Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad, are set to announce their retentions by February 7.
Lahore Qalandars Retentions
Three-time PSL-winning captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has been retained in the Platinum category, reinforcing Lahore’s pace attack. Star batter Abdullah Shafique stays in Diamond, while Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza remains in Gold. Emerging sensation Mohammad Naeem, the HBL PSL X Emerging Player, has been retained in Silver.
Quetta Gladiators Lock Key Performers
Quetta Gladiators have placed their faith in mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hasan Nawaz (Gold)—the HBL PSL X Player of the Tournament—and young batter Shamyl Hussain (Emerging).
Also Read: Sialkot Stallionz land Steve Smith as first signing for PSL 11
Peshawar Zalmi Retain Babar Azam
Former champions Peshawar Zalmi retained batting icon Babar Azam in Platinum. They also kept Sufyan Moqim (Diamond), Abdul Samad (Gold) and pacer Ali Raza (Emerging) to strengthen their squad depth.
Islamabad United Continue Shadab Khan Era
Three-time champions Islamabad United extended Shadab Khan’s long association by retaining him in the Platinum category. Fast bowler Salman Irshad (Gold) and USA wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous (Silver) complete their retention list.
Karachi Kings Rely on Hasan Ali
Karachi Kings retained Hasan Ali, the leading wicket-taker in PSL history, in Platinum. They also held onto Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold) and Saad Baig (Emerging).
Multan Sultans Take Fresh Start
In a surprising move, Multan Sultans announced zero retentions, signaling a complete squad overhaul ahead of the PSL 2026 draft.
Full PSL 2026 Retentions List
- Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Platinum), Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold), Mohammad Naeem (Silver)
- Quetta Gladiators: Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hasan Nawaz (Gold), Shamyl Hussain (Emerging)
- Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (Platinum), Salman Irshad (Gold), Andries Gous (Silver)
- Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (Platinum), Sufyan Moqim (Diamond), Abdul Samad (Gold), Ali Raza (Emerging)
- Karachi Kings: Hasan Ali (Platinum), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold), Saad Baig (Emerging)
- Multan Sultans: No retentions
