Shoaib Malik retires from PSL after 10 seasons

Shoaib Malik has called time on his PSL career [Source: @Dr_Romeooo/X.com]

After almost a decade of presence, Shoaib Malik drew the curtain on his PSL journey. From the league's early days in the UAE to its rise as a fully home-based tournament, Malik remained a constant figure.

His retirement from the PSL means the end of one of the longest and most consistent player tenures in the league's history, coming at a time when the competition itself is preparing for expansion and change.

Shoaib Malik retires from the Pakistan Super League

Veteran Cricketer Shoaib Malik has officially bid farewell to Pakistan Super League (PSL). He made this announcement on January 20, 2026, through a posting on his social networking page.

Reflecting on his decade-long association with the tournament, Malik said he cherished every moment and friendship made during his time in the league and felt it was the right moment to step aside as a player. 

"I cherish every single moment and friendship I have made on and off the field throughout my 10 years of the Pakistan Super League as a player. It's time to call it a day. However, my passion and motivation to serve for the betterment of cricket will always stay. Thank you @thePSLt20," Malik said in his tweet.

Since the PSL’s inaugural season in 2016, Shoaib Malik featured regularly across multiple franchises, becoming one of the league’s most recognisable faces. 

Over 92-93 matches, he scored close to 2,400 runs at an average just above 33. Alongside his batting, Shoaib Malik also chipped in with part-time off-spin, picking up 17 wickets across seasons.

His retirement comes as the PSL enters a new phase, with Hyderabad and Sialkot joining as expansion teams ahead of the 11th edition, scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3.

A steady performer across franchises and seasons

Shoaib Malik’s PSL career was defined less by explosive innings and more by consistency and adaptability. He represented four franchises, Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators, and remained relevant across changing team combinations and strategies.

Some of his best seasons came with Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans, where he played key roles in the middle order.

His average stayed healthy through most of the editions, and even in the later seasons, Shoaib Malik continued to contribute with good runs rather than reducing into a mere symbolic role.

PSL set for historic auction shift

Meanwhile, PSL is set for its biggest structural change yet, with the PCB confirming a shift from the traditional draft system to a full player auction model. 

The reform comes after months of debate between the league and franchises and is driven largely by the addition of two new teams, Hyderabad and Sialkot, ahead of PSL 11. 

According to the PCB, the auction system has been introduced to improve competitive balance, increase transparency and give players better earning opportunities. The draft format had been in place since the league began in 2016, but officials felt it was no longer suitable as the PSL expanded.

Retention rules have also been overhauled. Previously, teams could retain up to eight players. That number has now been cut to four, with only one retention allowed per category, Platinum, Diamond, Gold and Silver. 

This means franchises can no longer hold on to multiple top-tier stars in the same category, forcing stronger squads to release key players into the open pool.

Unretained players will be available to the two new teams, who will be allowed to sign four players each before the auction to ensure parity.

Team salary purses have been increased to USD 1.6 million, up from around USD 1.1 million. The auction date is yet to be announced, while uncertainty also remains over Multan Sultans’ ownership, with bids due by January 30.