PSL 2026 retention list revealed [Source: X]The Pakistan Super League is entering a new era. For the first time in its history, PSL 2026 will replace the traditional player draft with a full-fledged auction, and the retention lists are now official. Franchises have finalised their core groups just days before the mega event, setting the stage for what promises to be one of the most intriguing player markets in the league’s history. With the PSL 2026 auction looming and the season set to kick off in late March, here’s everything you need to know about who’s staying put and which big names will be up for grabs. Key changes and Retention rules of PSL 2026 Each franchise was allowed to retain a limited number of domestic players ahead of the auction, with strict category restrictions to maintain balance. Teams could keep multiple players but were capped on how many from each category, Platinum, Diamond, Gold, and Silver, they could hold onto. Promotions and demotions were also permitted to give teams flexibility in building their squads.Islamabad United Retentions Islamabad United had some surprising names in their retentions while releasing big names like Azam Khan, Salman Agha and Sahibzada Farhan. Platinum Category - Shadab KhanGold Category - Salman IrshadDiamond Category - None RetainedSilver Category - Andries GousPlayers Released: Azam Khan, Haider Ali, Mohammad Faiq, Colin Munro, Sahibzada Farhan, Rassie van der Dussen, Matthew Short, Salman Agha, Jason Holder, Imad Wasim, Kyle Mayers, Mohammad Nawaz, Muhammad Shahzad, James Neesham, Saad Masood, Ben Dwarshuis, Hunain Shah, Riley Meredith, Tymal Mills, Naseem Shah, Rumman RaeesKarachi Kings Retentions Karachi Kings have opted for a mix of experience and emerging talent for their bid into the new edition of the tournament.Platinum Category - Hasan AliDiamond Category - Abbas AfridiGold Category - Khushdil Shah Silver Category - None RetainedEmerging Category - Saad Baig Players released: David Warner, Irfan Khan, Ben McDermott, Muhammad Riazullah, George Munsey, Omair Yousuf, Tim Seifert, Shan Masood, James Vince, Litton Das, Kane Williamson, Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Nabi, Arafat Minhas, Fawad Ali, Adam Milne, Mir Hamza, Zahid MahmoodLahore Qalandars Retentions Lahore have retained a strong core while keeping flexibility for the auction with a focus on top-tier pace and power hitting.Platinum Category – Shaheen AfridiDiamond Category – Abdullah ShafiqueGold Category – Sikandar RazaSilver Category – Mohammad NaeemPlayers Released: Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Akhlaq, Kusal Perera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Sam Billings, Asif Afridi, Tom Curran, Jahandad Khan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Daryl Mitchell, David Wiese, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Azab, Momin Qamar, Salman Mirza, Zaman KhanPeshawar Zalmi Retentions Peshawar Zalmi have taken a minimal-retention approach, securing their core leaders while preserving maximum flexibility for the auction.Platinum Category – Babar AzamDiamond Category – Sufiyan MuqeemGold Category – Abdul SamadSilver Category – None retainedEmerging Category - Ali RazaPlayers Released: Max Bryant, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Mohammad Haris, Najibullah Zadran, Mitchell Owen, Hussain Talat, George Linde, Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Corbin Bosch, Ahmed Daniyal, Arif Yaqoob, Ihsanullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Ali, Luke Wood, Alzarri Joseph, Nahid RanaMultan Sultans Retentions Multan Sultans have officially announced that the team will enter the PSL 2026 auction with zero retention and therefore have a full USD 1.6 million purse at their expense to buy players and build their core alongside Hyderabad and Sialkot.Quetta Gladiators Retentions Quetta have leaned heavily on promotions to reward consistency, building a balanced squad with a mix of experience and emerging talent.Platinum Category – Abrar AhmedDiamond Category – Usman TariqGold Category – Hasan NawazSilver Category – None retainedEmerging Category - Shamyl HussainPlayers Released: Saud Shakeel, Finn Allen, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Haseebullah Khan, Khawaja Nafay, Rilee Rossouw, Kusal Mendis, Danish Aziz, Faheem Ashraf, Gulbadin Naib, Shoaib Malik, Sean Abbott, Mark Chapman, Ali Majid, Akeal Hosein, Kyle Jamieson, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Wasim, Mohammad ZeeshanWhen 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. PSL 2026 Retention price of categories CategorySelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableAuction Base Price (INR)SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TablePlatinumSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table₹1.36 croreSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDiamondSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table₹0.71 croreSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableGoldSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table₹0.36 croreSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSilverSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table₹0.19 croreSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table PSL 2026 schedule to be revealed soonThe tournament proper will run from March 26 to May 3, 2026, with the final set for May 3. A longer window promises more double-headers and prime-time clashes, giving fans across Pakistan and around the world plenty of T20 fireworks to look forward to. With retentions locked and the auction just days away, PSL 11 is shaping up to be the most unpredictable and exciting edition yet.
