PSL 2026 auction retained players list out; Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi in top bracket

Babar, Shaheen reportedly in platinum category for PSL retentions [Source: X]

According to emerging reports, Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi are among the top retentions ahead of the inaugural PSL 2026 auction. The experienced duo is placed in the platinum category alongside several high-profile Pakistan cricketers, including Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, and T20I captain Agha Salman.

This will be the first time the PCB will follow the footprints of the IPL and conduct a player auction for the PSL 2026 season. The participating teams will be allowed to retain a fixed number of players, who have been distributed across four categories- platinum, diamond, gold, and silver.

PSL 2026 retention list revealed; Babar, Shaheen in platinum category

As reported by Geo Super, the platinum category comprises fifteen cricketers, including the talismanic Pakistani trio of Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan. The diamond and gold categories have seven and twelve players, respectively, with the silver category comprising only two names.

Babar, Shaheen, Rizwan in platinum group

Babar, Shaheen, Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Salman Agha, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Faheem Ashraf, and Mohammad Amir have been retained in the platinum category of the PSL retention list. Meanwhile, spin bowling allrounder Mohammad Nawaz, fast bowler Hasan Ali, and Abrar Ahmed have been promoted from the diamond category, finding a place among the elites.

The composition of diamond category

Talking about the diamond category, Karachi Kings' mainstay Shan Masood has retained his spot in the list. Fast bowler Abbas Afridi, spinner Usama Mir, and allrounder Iftikhar Ahmed have been demoted from platinum to diamond, while Mohammad Wasim Jr and Usman Tariq have witnessed promotions.

Sahibzada Farhan in gold category with Azam Khan, Mohammad Haris

Opening batter Sahibzada Farhan, who enjoyed stellar success in T20Is last year, is placed in the gold category. His Islamabad United teammate Azam Khan has been demoted from diamond to gold, with Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Hasnain, Aaqib Javed and Hasan Nawaz claiming the remaining slots.

Mohammad Naeem promoted to silver category

Karachi Kings' Left-handed middle-order batter Arafat Minhas has been demoted from the gold category ahead of the PSL 2026. He is one of the two names in the silver category alongside Mohammad Naeem, who has been promoted from the emerging players' list.

PSL 2026 pre-auction retention categories

Platinum category

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Salman Agha, Mohammad Nawaz (promoted from diamond)
Karachi Kings: Hasan Ali (promoted from diamond),
Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf
Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam, Saim Ayub
Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan
Quetta Gladiators: Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed (promoted from diamond)

Diamond category

Islamabad United: None.
Karachi Kings: Abbas Afridi (demoted from platinum), Shan Masood
Lahore Qalandars: Salman Mirza (promoted from gold)
Peshawar Zalmi: None.
Multan Sultans: Usama Mir, Iftikhar Ahmed (demoted from platinum)
Quetta Gladiators: Mohammad Wasim Jr (promoted from gold), Usman Tariq (promoted from silver)

Gold category

Islamabad United: Sahibzada Farhan, Azam Khan (demoted from diamond)
Karachi Kings: Khushdil Shah, Aamer Jamal (demoted from diamond)
Lahore Qalandars: None.
Peshawar Zalmi: Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris (demoted from diamond)
Multan Sultans: Mohammad Hasnain (demoted from diamond), Aaqib Javed (promoted from silver)
Quetta Gladiators: Mohammad Wasim Jr (promoted from gold), Usman Tariq (promoted from silver), Khawaja Nafay (promoted from silver), Hasan Nawaz (promoted from emerging)