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Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises have begun confirming their retained players ahead of the first-ever auction, marking a major shift in squad building as PSL 11 prepares for a historic season.
Under the revised retention rules, each team is allowed to keep only four players across categories, forcing franchise to make tougher decisions before the auction scheduled for February 11.
The upcoming edition will expand from six to eight teams, with two new sides, Hyderabad and Sialkot, joining the league, while the tournament is scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3.
Lahore Qalandars
Defending champions Lahore Qalandars announced retained players for the 2026 season, cutting a larger squad to meet the new four player retention limit under revised Pakistan Super League rules framework.
The three-time champions retained premier pacer and captain Shaheen Shah Afridi in the Platinum category.
Abdullah Shafique was retained in Diamond, Sikandar Raza in Gold, Mohammad Naeem in Silver, while Lahore kept no Emerging player, leaving auction space for fresh talent recruitment during upcoming auction.
| Shaheen Afridi | Platinum |
| Abdullah Shafique | Diamond |
| Sikandar Raza | Gold |
| Mohammad Naeem | Silver |
Karachi Kings
Former champions Karachi Kings confirmed four retentions across categories as they reshaped their squad under stricter regulations ahead of the upcoming Pakistan Super League auction.
Fast bowler Hasan Ali was retained in the Platinum category, while Abbas Afridi stayed Diamond, strengthening the pace resources and bowling depth heading into the new season campaign.
All-rounder Khushdil Shah took a Gold slot and wicketkeeper Saad Baig was retained as Emerging, while Karachi left the Silver category vacant before the auction deadline for player selections began.
| Hasan Ali | Platinum |
| Abbas Afridi | Diamond |
| Khushdil Shah | Gold |
| Saad Baig | Emerging |
Quetta Gladiators
Quetta Gladiators finalised their retained list after placing 14 players across categories, ultimately cutting their core group to 4 players under the updated PSL retention framework.
Mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed was retained in the Platinum category, providing the former champions with a key wicket-taking option as they prepare for the league’s expanded structure.
Another spinner Usman Tariq was kept in Diamond, Hassan Nawaz retained in Gold, and Shamyl Hussain in Emerging, while Quetta opted not to retain any Silver-category player.
| Abrar Ahmed | Platinum |
| Usman Tariq | Diamond |
| Hassan Nawaz | Gold |
| Shamyl Hussain | Emerging |
Islamabad United
Islamabad United confirmed three retentions, prioritising flexibility under new rules, leaving several established players unprotected as category limits forced difficult decisions ahead of the auction process.
Shadab Khan was retained in the Platinum category, while Salman Irshad stayed Gold and Andre Gous in Silver, providing stability as Islamabad prepare for a major squad rebuild ahead of auction.
| Shadab Khan | Platinum |
| Salman Irshad | Gold |
| Andre Gous | Silver |
Peshawar Zalmi – Reported Retentions
Former champions Peshawar Zalmi retained captain Babar Azam in the Platinum category and Sufiyan Muqeem in Diamond, strengthening their squad with experienced performers.
Star batter Abdul Samad was retained in Gold, while 17-year-old right-arm medium-fast bowler Ali Raza was kept in the Emerging category.
| Babar Azam | Platinum category |
| Sufiyan Muqeem | Diamond |
| Abdul Samad | Gold |
| Ali Raza | Emerging |
