Babar Azam and Virat Kohli - (Source: AFP)
The stage is all set for the T20 World Cup 2026, which begins on February 8. However, amid the hype for the upcoming event, preparations are also in full swing for franchise cricket set to follow the World Cup. Notably, IPL and PSL are the two most talked about, and they are all set to overlap for the second straight year.
Both IPL and PSL will begin from March 26, and the fans will reignite the debate between Babar Azam and Virat Kohli. Notably, the PSL is very much on track to take inspiration from the Indian league, as they recently shifted to ‘auction’, ditching their traditional ‘draft’.
For the unversed, February 3 was the last date for PSL’s six original teams to submit their final retention list. Contrary to the speculations, Babar Azam was retained by Peshawar Zalmi. In fact, the right-handed batter and former Pakistan batter was the top pick.
Babar Azam retained in the platinum category by Peshawar Zalmi
Notably, Babar Azam was retained in the platinum category and will earn 7 crores PKR. Here is the list of Peshwar Zalmi’s retentions for PSL 2026, along with their salaries.
- Babar Azam - 7 crore PKR
- Sufiyan Muqeem - 4.48 crore PKR
- Abdul Samad - 2.8 cr PKR
- Ali Raza - 1.96 cr PKR
If we convert Babar Azam’s salary in INR, then he would get around 2 crores and 75 lakhs, 2,26,74,760.01 rupees to be precise. It is the highest salary for a player in PSL and no one would earn more than 7 crores PKR in PSL.
Now the fans have begun comparing it with the IPL and how much the difference is between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam’s salaries.
Virat Kohli’s IPL salary and comparison with Babar Azam
Notably, Virat Kohli earns 21 crores INR to play IPL. He was retained by RCB for a whopping 21 crores. If we compare it with Babar’s salary, then the Indian legend earns 18 crores more than his Pakistani counterpart.
Plugging in the values:
(21−2.75)×100%=(18.252.75)×100%≈663.64%
Notably, Virat Kohli earns around 666% more than Babar Azam, which is a whopping difference in salaries.
Babar Azam and other platinum picks
Notably, Babar Azam is not the only player to earn 7 crores PKR for PSL 2026, as other players who have been retained in the same category will also earn the same. Here is the list of all players who will earn the same salary as Babar Azam for PSL 2026.
Shadab Khan - Islamabad United
Hasan Ali - Karachi Kings
Shaheen Afridi - Lahore Qalandars
Abrar Ahmed - Quetta Gladiators
When Is the PSL 2026 Auction?
The inaugural PSL player auction is scheduled for February 11, 2026. Expect intense bidding wars as franchises fill their remaining slots and chase the high-profile names still available across categories.
Notably, during the auction, players who will go under the hammer have a chance to earn more than Babar Azam for PSL 2026.
