![Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan headline Platinum list before PSL auction. [Source - @psl/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1769582472412_BabarAzam,MohammadRizwanheadlinePlatinumlistbeforePSLauction.jpg?type=hq)
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan headline Platinum list before PSL auction. [Source - @psl/x]
The Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed category renewals for 89 local players ahead of HBL PSL 11, with 16 stars in the Platinum bracket. Following the IPL model, PSL gears up for its first-ever player auction, signaling a new era for the league.
Momentum builds towards the historic 11 February auction, where franchises will finalize their squads after retaining up to four players. This move mirrors the IPL’s successful auction format, promising strategic battles, star power, and fresh excitement for fans ahead of the 11th season.
Platinum icons Babar Azam of Peshawar Zalmi and Mohammad Rizwan of Multan Sultans remain the pillars of their teams. With the auction approaching, these marquee players will anchor their franchises’ strategies and set the tone for a season full of high-stakes action.
PSL follows IPL with first-ever player auction
The 11th edition of the PSL is going to mark a major turning point with its first-ever player auction scheduled for 11 February. Franchises can retain up to four players, one per category, before entering the auction to complete their squads.
This new format promises unpredictability, forcing teams to break their cores and balance loyalty with strategy. With several high-profile names available, franchises must weigh star power against squad depth, knowing one mistake could affect their entire campaign.
As three-time champions, Islamabad United have retained six Platinum players, the most by any team, including Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah and Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha. Their strong core underlines long-term planning, even as retention rules ensure tough calls ahead of the auction.
Big names, bigger expectations in Platinum renewals
Babar Azam remains Peshawar Zalmi’s batting backbone with elite consistency, while Mohammad Rizwan, the lone Platinum renewal for Multan Sultans, continues to be the mainstay of his side with leadership and unmatched stability at the top of the order.
For Lahore Qalandars, Shaheen Shah Afridi reflects aggression and authority. His ability to strike early with the new ball and deliver under pressure makes him irreplaceable, especially in Lahore Qalandars side which has always brought the best out of him.
List of all Platinum renewals ahead of PSL auction
| Team | Players |
| Islamabad United | Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah, Salman Agha, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Nawaz, Imad Wasim. |
| Lahore Qalandars | Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf. |
| Quetta Gladiators | Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmad. |
| Peshawar Zalmi | Babar Azam, Saim Ayub. |
| Karachi Kings | Hasan Ali |
| Multan Sultans | Mohammad Rizwan |
Alongside Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen, the Platinum list boasts keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Amir and more. The performances of these players often turn the game in a blink of an eye, making them the most eye-catching figures of the upcoming PSL season.
Platinum anchors of PSL’s first-ever auction
As PSL 2026 approaches, the league stands at a defining crossroads with the introduction of its first-ever player auction. The shift reshapes how franchises plan, retain talent, and build competitive squads, signaling a new era driven by strategy, team formation and long-term vision.
Ultimately, Platinum status reflects value, consistency, and match-winning impact in a rapidly changing landscape. With retention limits in place and the auction set to remake team combinations, PSL 11 promises unstoppable drama, bold decisions, and a season where smart planning could prove just as decisive as on-field actions.
