The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has taken a bold step in 2026 by holding its first-ever player auction, moving away from the traditional draft system. This historic auction saw franchises battle fiercely for top talent, with massive bids and shocking deals setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting 11th season of the league.
This year, the league featured eight franchises: five returning teams from 2025 (Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Islamabad United, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators) and three new additions (Sialkot Stallionz, Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen, and a Rawalpindi-based team yet to be named).
Each franchise was allowed to retain up to four players before the auction, while squads were required to include 16 to 20 players, with 5–7 overseas stars and at least two uncapped U23 players, one of whom must feature in every match. All players were signed on two-year contracts, carrying them through to the next grand auction before PSL 2027.
The auction got off to a flying start with Faheem Ashraf becoming the first player sold, fetching a massive PKR 8.5 crore for Islamabad United. Only Naseem Shah surpassed him, going for PKR 8.65 crore, while Daryl Mitchell also crossed the eight-crore mark at PKR 8.05 crore.
Top Players Sold at the PSL 2026 Auction
| Name | Team | Losing Team | Base Price (PKR cr) | Sale Price (PKR cr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naseem Shah | Rawalpindi | Islamabad United | 4.2 | 8.65 |
| Faheem Ashraf | Islamabad United | Quetta Gladiators | 4.2 | 8.5 |
| Daryl Mitchell | Rawalpindi | Daryl Mitchell | 4.2 | 8.05 |
| Fakhar Zaman | Lahore Qalandars | Lahore Qalandars | 4.2 | 7.95 |
| David Warner | Karachi Kings | Karachi Kings | 4.2 | 7.9 |
| Haris Rauf | Lahore Qalandars | Lahore Qalandars | 4.2 | 7.6 |
| Mark Chapman | Islamabad United | Islamabad United | 4.2 | 7 |
| Khawaja Nafay | Quetta Gladiators | Quetta Gladiators | 1.1 | 6.5 |
| Salman Ali Agha | Karachi Kings | Islamabad United | 4.2 | 5.85 |
| Sahibzada Farhan | Sialkot Stallionz | Islamabad United | 4.2 | 5.7 |
The auction revealed shocking deals and massive price tags, underlining how competitive PSL 2026 will be. Established stars like David Warner, Fakhar Zaman, and Haris Rauf drew huge bids, while exciting younger players such as Khawaja Nafay and Sahibzada Farhan commanded impressive sums, signaling that franchises are ready to invest big in talent for the upcoming season.
With these blockbuster deals, PSL 2026 promises thrilling cricket, powerful lineups, and high-octane rivalries. Fans can expect matches full of fireworks, as teams put their auction strategies into action on the field.
