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Quetta Gladiators on Wednesday announced the retention fees of their four retained players ahead of the historic Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 players’ auction, scheduled to take place on February 11.

The franchise confirmed the figures through PSL’s official social media accounts, revealing the amounts allocated to Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, Hasan Nawaz, and Shamyl Hussain under the league’s revamped auction-based recruitment model.

According to the details, mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed has been retained in the Platinum category for a fee of PKR 70 million, while Usman Tariq — retained in the Diamond category — will receive PKR 56 million.

Meanwhile, batter Hasan Nawaz, placed in the Gold category, has been secured for PKR 39.2 million, while young opener Shamyl Hussain has been retained in the Emerging category for PKR 8.4 million.

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With these four retentions, Quetta Gladiators have so far spent PKR 173.6 million from their overall franchise purse ahead of the auction.

For the unversed, each franchise has been allotted a total budget of PKR 450 million for PSL 11, while an additional PKR 55 million has been reserved for direct signings, a new feature introduced under PSL’s first-ever auction system.

Notably, PSL 11 marks a major shift in the league’s player recruitment process as the traditional draft format has been replaced by an auction-based model for the first time in PSL history, setting the stage for a high-stakes bidding war on February 11.

On Tuesday, five out of the six old franchises announced their retained players, while Multan Sultans confirmed they will enter the auction with zero retentions, giving them the maximum purse ahead of the bidding process.

PSL 11 retentions

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Platinum), Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold), Mohammad Naeem (Silver)

Quetta Gladiators: Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hasan Nawaz (Gold), Shamyl Hussain (Emerging)

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (Platinum), Salman Irshad (Gold), Andries Gous (Silver)

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (Platinum), Sufyan Muqeem (Diamond), Abdul Samad (Gold), Ali Raza (Emerging)

Karachi Kings: Hasan Ali (Platinum), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold), Saad Baig (Emerging)

READ: Lahore Qalandars reveal Shaheen Afridi’s retention price

Lahore Qalandars have revealed the retention prices of their retained players, including Shaheen Afridi, ahead of the historic Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 auction, scheduled for February 11.

The Qalandars retained Shaheen Afridi, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Naeem, and Abdullah Shafique.

The retention prices were disclosed via the franchise’s social media handles.

 

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Skipper Shaheen Afridi is retained in Platinum for PKR 70M.

While middle-order batter Abdullah Shafiqe and all-rounder Sikandar Raza were retained in the Diamond and Gold categories for PKR 22M and 28M, respectively.

Mohammad Naeem also secured his place in the Silver category for a PKR 7M.

With these retentions, the 2024 winners have so far spent PKR 127 million from their overall franchise budget of PKR 450M ahead of the auction.

For the unversed, each franchise has been allotted a total budget of PKR 450 million for PSL 11, while an additional PKR 55 million has been reserved for direct signings under the league’s new auction-based model.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Notably, PSL 11 marks a major shift in the league’s player recruitment process as the traditional draft system has been replaced by an auction format for the first time in PSL history.

On Tuesday, five out of the six old franchises announced their list of retained players, while Multan Sultans confirmed they will enter the auction with zero retentions, giving them the maximum purse ahead of the bidding process.

PSL 11 retentions

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Platinum), Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold), Mohammad Naeem (Silver)

Quetta Gladiators: Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hasan Nawaz (Gold), Shamyl Hussain (Emerging)

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (Platinum), Salman Irshad (Gold), Andries Gous (Silver)

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (Platinum), Sufyan Moqim (Diamond), Abdul Samad (Gold), Ali Raza (Emerging)

Karachi Kings: Hasan Ali (Platinum), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold), Saad Baig (Emerging)

READ: Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed make massive gains in ICC T20I rankings

DUBAI: Pakistan all-rounder Saim Ayub has reclaimed the top spot, while mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed achieved a career-best ranking in the latest ICC T20I rankings released on Wednesday.

In the ICC T20 Batting rankings, opener Sahibzada Farhan slipped two places, dropping from fifth to seventh with 715 points.

However, the biggest movement among Pakistan batters came from Saim, who made a strong jump of eight places to reach 27th, while captain Salman Ali Agha climbed 12 spots to 29th, now sitting on 589 points.

On the other hand, former skipper Babar Azam dropped three places to 34th, while Mohammad Rizwan fell six spots to 67th with 479 points.

Fakhar Zaman also slipped five places to 74th, and young pacer Hasan Nawaz moved down six positions to 90th.

Pakistan’s biggest highlight came in the ICC T20I bowling rankings, where mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed jumped to a career-best second position, now holding 748 points and closing in on India’s Varun Chakravarthy, who remains at the top.

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Spinner Mohammad Nawaz also made a major leap, climbing eight places to seventh with 672 points, strengthening Pakistan’s presence in the elite bracket of T20I bowlers.

Among other Pakistan bowlers, Shaheen Shah Afridi moved up five spots to 19th, while Salman Mirza slipped four places to 22nd and Sufiyan Muqeem dropped five positions to 38th.

Additional changes include Saim Ayub slipping four spots to 58th, Haris Rauf falling nine places to 66th, Shadab Khan making a sharp rise of 33 places to 72nd, while Faheem Ashraf dropped 11 spots to 87th.

In the T20I all-rounders rankings, Saim Ayub climbed back to No.1, dethroning Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza, who now sits second. India’s Hardik Pandya retained the third position.

Pakistan’s Mohammad Nawaz moved up one place to fourth with 230 points, while Shadab Khan surged 13 positions to reach 26th.

Faheem Ashraf slipped six places to 46th, and skipper Salman Ali Agha rose seven spots to 54th. Shaheen Afridi, meanwhile, dropped two places to 69th.

READ: Peshawar Zalmi confirm Babar Azam’s retention price

Peshawar Zalmi on Wednesday revealed the retention prices of their four retained players, including star batter Babar Azam, ahead of the historic Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 players’ auction, scheduled for February 11.

The franchise confirmed the figures through PSL’s official social media accounts, with skipper Babar Azam retained in the Platinum category for PKR 70 million.

Sufyan Moqim, kept in the Diamond category, will earn PKR 44.8 million, while Abdul Samad, selected in the Gold category, is set to receive PKR 28 million. Saad Baig, retained under the Emerging category, will earn PKR 19.6 million.

The yellow storm is coming ⚡️

Peshawar Zalmi have confirmed their retentions for HBL PSL 2026, ahead of the upcoming Player’s Auction#HBLPSL | #NewEra pic.twitter.com/wnF8PepPto

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 4, 2026

With these retentions, Peshawar Zalmi have so far spent PKR 162.4 million from their overall franchise budget ahead of the auction.

Each PSL 11 franchise has been allotted a total purse of PKR 450 million, with an additional PKR 55 million reserved for direct signings under the league’s new auction-based model.

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This year, PSL has introduced a major shift in player recruitment, replacing the traditional draft system with a full-fledged auction format for the first time in the league’s history.

Five of the six old franchises had announced their retained players by Tuesday, while Multan Sultans confirmed they will enter the auction with zero retentions, giving them the maximum purse to spend during the bidding process.

PSL 11 retentions

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Platinum), Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold), Mohammad Naeem (Silver)

Quetta Gladiators: Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hasan Nawaz (Gold), Shamyl Hussain (Emerging)

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (Platinum), Salman Irshad (Gold), Andries Gous (Silver)

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (Platinum), Sufyan Moqim (Diamond), Abdul Samad (Gold), Ali Raza (Emerging)

Karachi Kings: Hasan Ali (Platinum), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold), Saad Baig (Emerging)

READ: Karachi Kings reveal retention prices of four players ahead of PSL auction

Karachi Kings on Wednesday announced the retention prices of their four retained players ahead of the historic Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 players’ auction, scheduled to take place on February 11.

Karachi Kings retained Hasan Ali, and Abbas Afridi are retained in the Platinum and Diamond categories, respectively.

All-rounder Khushdil Shah is retained in Gold, while Saad Baig is in the Emerging category.

Kings are prepared for the next phase 🤴🏽

Karachi Kings have locked in their retained players for HBL PSL 2026, ahead of the Player’s Auction#HBLPSL | #NewEra pic.twitter.com/IYgHAxeXyJ

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 4, 2026

The retention prices were confirmed through PSL’s official social media accounts, with Hasan being retained for PKR 47.6 million.

Afridi will earn PKR 30.8 million, while Khushdil has been secured for PKR 33.6 million. Saad, who was retained in the emerging category, will get PKR 6 million.

For the unversed, each franchise has been allotted a total budget of PKR 450 million for PSL 11, while an additional PKR 55 million has been reserved for direct signings under the league’s new auction-based model.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Notably, PSL 11 marks a major shift in the league’s player recruitment process as the traditional draft system has been replaced by an auction format for the first time in PSL history.

On Tuesday, five out of the six old franchises announced their list of retained players, while Multan Sultans confirmed they will enter the auction with zero retentions, giving them the maximum purse ahead of the bidding process.

PSL 11 retentions

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Platinum), Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold), Mohammad Naeem (Silver)

Quetta Gladiators: Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hasan Nawaz (Gold), Shamyl Hussain (Emerging)

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (Platinum), Salman Irshad (Gold), Andries Gous (Silver)

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (Platinum), Sufyan Moqim (Diamond), Abdul Samad (Gold), Ali Raza (Emerging)

Karachi Kings: Hasan Ali (Platinum), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold), Saad Baig (Emerging)

READ: Islamabad United reveal retention prices of three players

Three-time champions Islamabad United on Wednesday announced the retention prices of their three retained players ahead of the historic Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 players’ auction, scheduled to take place on February 11.

The franchise shared the details through its official social media platforms, confirming the amounts allocated to skipper Shadab Khan, pacer Salman Irshad and USA batter Andries Gous.

According to the announcement, star all-rounder Shadab has been retained in the Platinum category for a fee of PKR 70 million, while fast bowler Salman Irshad, who has been kept in the Gold category, will earn PKR 12 million.

Meanwhile, USA wicket-keeper Andries Gous has been secured in the Silver category for PKR 14 million.

🚨 Here you go!!

First Auction – Here are the retention amounts in PKR@76Shadabkhan – 7.0 Crore@Gousie08 – 1.4 Crore@Salman150kph – 1.2 Crore

Stay Tuned For More Big News!! 🙌#UnitedWeWin #SherusRetained #DimaghSe #NewEra pic.twitter.com/7CqhW9AQ1T

— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) February 4, 2026

With these retentions, Islamabad United have so far spent PKR 96 million from the overall franchise budget ahead of the auction.

For the unversed, each franchise has been allotted a total budget of PKR 450 million for PSL 11, while an additional PKR 55 million has been reserved for direct signings under the league’s new auction-based model.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Notably, PSL 11 marks a major shift in the league’s player recruitment process as the traditional draft system has been replaced by an auction format for the first time in PSL history.

On Tuesday, five out of the six old franchises announced their list of retained players, while Multan Sultans confirmed they will enter the auction with zero retentions, giving them the maximum purse ahead of the bidding process.

PSL 11 retentions

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Platinum), Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold), Mohammad Naeem (Silver)

Quetta Gladiators: Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hasan Nawaz (Gold), Shamyl Hussain (Emerging)

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (Platinum), Salman Irshad (Gold), Andries Gous (Silver)

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (Platinum), Sufyan Moqim (Diamond), Abdul Samad (Gold), Ali Raza (Emerging)

Karachi Kings: Hasan Ali (Platinum), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold), Saad Baig (Emerging)

READ: Barcelona edge past Albacete into Copa del Rey semi-finals

Lamine Yamal and Ronald Araujo’s goals helped Barcelona reach the Copa del Rey semi-finals with a nervy 2-1 win against Albacete Balompié at Carlos Belmonte Stadium on Tuesday.

The record 32-time cup winners were pushed to the end in a tight quarter-final clash by their second division opponents, who stunned Real Madrid in the previous round.

Yamal fired Barca ahead just before half-time, and Araujo headed home the second early after the break on his first start since taking a month-long mental health break at the end of last year.

Albacete created several chances in the last half hour, and Javi Moreno headed home with three minutes to go to give Hansi Flick’s Barca a scare.

“The last few minutes… it’s normal, they got a goal, the cup is like this,” Araujo told Barca’s media channel.

“I’m very happy (to start again), it was an important step… a hug to the coach, he helped me a lot.”

Holders Barca spurned some fine chances, just as they did in their win over Elche in La Liga on Saturday.

“It was a tough match at the end, it was very hard. We could have made it much easier for ourselves; we missed many chances, but I think also we deserved (to win),” said Flick.

“I’m happy, proud of the team, and we’re in the semi-finals, and that’s the best thing.”

Barcelona controlled the game in the first half but could not easily break down Albacete’s resistance.

Marcus Rashford spurned a couple of decent openings in the opening few minutes, and after that, the hosts shut up shop against Flick’s side.

Spanish champions Barcelona’s brightest player was, as usual, teenage star Yamal, and he struck in the 39th minute.

Rashford pressed well to win the ball back, and Frenkie de Jong’s pass bobbled into Yamal’s path for the 18-year-old to curl home.

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Antonio Puertas got in behind Barcelona’s defence at the other end but took a heavy touch, and goalkeeper Joan Garcia was able to snag the loose ball.

The stopper accidentally gave away a corner as he walked off the pitch with it to pat Araujo on the head, in a comical moment before the break.

Dani Olmo should have doubled Barca’s lead early in the second half when Rashford put the ball on a plate for him, but his shot was blocked.

Puertas’s volley deflected off De Jong and just over Garcia’s goal as the hosts threatened sporadically.

Araujo headed in Rashford’s corner as Barcelona doubled their lead and seemed set to cruise to victory, only for some late Albacete resistance to threaten an upset.

Jefte Betancor, who scored Albacete’s stunning winner against Real Madrid, cut inside Araujo and whipped a shot just wide.

Puertas put the ball in the back of Barca’s net with seven minutes to go, but an earlier offside disallowed it.

Albacete finally scored in the 87th minute when Moreno’s powerful header from Jose Lazo’s free-kick flew past Garcia, but they could not find another to force the game to extra-time.

Gerard Martin headed Fran Gamez’s effort off the line as Barca endured a nervy five minutes of stoppage time to triumph.

“We have to finish with more conviction,” said Flick, who said he was happy that Araujo netted on his return to the starting line-up.

“He scored a very important goal for us; it could help him to get more confidence and believe in himself,” added the German coach.

In the other quarter-finals, Valencia welcome Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad visit Alaves on Wednesday, while Atletico Madrid travel to face Real Betis on Thursday.

READ: AC Milan close gap on Inter with 3-0 win over Bologna

BOLOGNA: AC Milan closed the gap on city rivals Inter at the top of Serie A with a convincing 3-0 win at Bologna at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on Tuesday.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christopher Nkunku, from the penalty spot, scored in the first half, with Adrien Rabiot sealing the win in the second period.

The win moves second-placed Milan five points behind Inter and four points clear of third-placed Napoli.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side, coming in off the back of a 1-1 draw with Roma last time out, were in charge early on and went ahead after 20 minutes.

Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia did well to keep out Nkunku’s header but only found Rabiot, who teed up Loftus-Cheek.

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The former Chelsea player tapped in to claim his second goal of the season.

Loftus-Cheek was involved with the second as well, this time slipping the ball to Nkunku, another recruit from Chelsea, in the area.

Ravaglia didn’t get his timing right and upended the France international, who slotted home from the spot.

Three minutes into the second half, Milan wrapped up the points when Rabiot fired in the third.

Niclas Fullkrug twice went close in the dying minutes, but Ravaglia kept both attempts out.

READ: PSL 11 to not be televised in India as PCB withholds media rights

LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has recorded another major commercial milestone ahead of season 11 after successfully selling its international media rights, with the India region deliberately excluded from the deal.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that the one-year agreement for global media rights, excluding India, has been awarded to Walee Technologies, which emerged as the highest bidder and surpassed the PCB’s reserve price.

The PCB further revealed that, on a comparable basis, the latest agreement reflects a 149 percent increase in value over the previous cycle, underlining the league’s growing global footprint and strengthening brand value.

PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer welcomed the outcome and termed it a strong validation of the league’s commercial growth.

“We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the International Media Rights sale, which has delivered a remarkable 149% increase over the last cycle for the same regions,” Naseer said.

“This growth is a strong validation of the HBL PSL brand, its competitive quality, and its increasing appeal to cricket fans around the world.”

He added that the league continues to attract strong interest internationally and remains on an upward commercial trajectory.

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“The HBL PSL continues to attract strong global interest, and this agreement reinforces our confidence in the league’s long-term commercial trajectory and its ability to deliver value across diverse international markets,” he said.

Naseer also acknowledged Walee Technologies for pushing beyond past benchmarks.

“We are grateful to Walee Technologies for stepping up the ante in the New Era and breaking past records,” he added.

Meanwhile, Walee Technologies CEO Ahsan Tahir expressed excitement over partnering with the marquee league, calling it a major moment for local innovation.

“This is a victory for every Pakistani who believes in ‘Made in Pakistan’ technology,” Tahir said.

“This is just the start of our HBL PSL journey. We have a lot of plans, and we’d like everyone to eagerly await everything Walee is about to do.”

Notably, the PCB’s decision to withhold PSL media rights for the India region comes amid strained relations between the two countries, with Pakistan recently announcing its decision to boycott the India clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

READ: Multan Sultans to go into PSL 11 auction with zero retentions

Multan Sultans have decided not to retain a single player from their previous squad ahead of the historic Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 players auction, scheduled to take place on February 11.

The upcoming edition of the PSL will mark a major shift in the league’s player recruitment system, as the traditional draft format has been replaced with an auction-based model for the first time in tournament history.

In the first 10 seasons, franchises were allowed to retain up to eight players before the draft.

However, under the revised PSL 11 regulations, teams were permitted to retain a maximum of four players across different categories, forcing franchises into tough calls ahead of the auction.

Multan had 18 players placed across various categories for the auction pool. Their captain, Mohammad Rizwan, was listed in the Platinum category, while Usama Mir, Iftikhar Ahmed and Usman Khan were placed in the Diamond category.

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The Gold category included Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Faisal Akram, Akif Javed and Tayyab Tahir.

Meanwhile, Yasir Khan, Amir Barki, Mohammad Junaid, Humayun Altaf, Ali Imran, Jahanzaib Sultan and Ubaid Shah were slotted into the Silver category, with Shahid Aziz and Mohammad Zulfikar listed under the Emerging category.

Despite having key players available for retention, the franchise confirmed through its official account on the social media platform X that it will enter the auction with zero retentions.

“Multan Sultans will enter the PSL Players Auction with zero retentions and a full USD 1.6 million in the purse,” the franchise wrote.

It is pertinent to mention that the Multan franchise is currently without an owner, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to conduct an auction for the franchise’s ownership rights, although the date for the bidding process has not yet been announced.

READ: Arsenal sink Chelsea to reach League Cup final