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Emerging category retentions revealed ahead of PSL 11 auction

LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 on Tuesday announced the renewals for Silver and Emerging categories ahead of the landmark player auction, set to be held on 11 February.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 has announced the renewals for its Silver and Emerging categories ahead of the landmark player auction, scheduled for 11 February.

The announcement was made on PSL social media handles, with the existing six outfits revealing their retained names.

Three times PSL winners Islamabad United retained all-rounders Saad Masood and Mohammad Shahzad, alongside wicket keeper Ghazi Ghouri.

Meanwhile, the 2020 edition winners Karachi Kings retained pacers Riazullah and Fawad Ali, as well as wicket keeper-batter Saad Baig.

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Peshawar Zalmi held on to opening batter Abdullah Fazal, fast bowler Ali Raza and Maaz Sadaqat.

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The PSL X winners Lahore Qalandars have named just one player in the emerging category, retaining left-arm wrist spinner Momin Qamar.

Multan Sultans also have retained medium pacer Shahid Aziz and wicket keeper Mohammad Zulkifal.

Similarly, Quetta Gladiators chose fast bowler Mohammad Zeeshan and opener Shamyl Hussain as their emerging category retentions.

It is worth mentioning that this will be the first time since PSL’s inception that a player’s auction will be held instead of the traditional Draft system.

The strategic shift is aimed at enhancing competitive balance, increasing transparency, and providing players’ greater earning opportunities.

Under the revised framework, each franchise will be allowed to retain a maximum of four players, with only one retention permitted per category.

This marks a sharp departure from previous seasons, where teams could retain up to eight players, along with additional provisions such as mentors, brand ambassadors and the Right to Match (RTM) option.

For PSL 11, the PCB has abolished the mentor, brand ambassador and RTM clauses altogether, streamlining the squad-building process ahead of the auction.

The two newly inducted franchises, Hyderabad and Sialkot, will also be granted special provisions, allowing them to select and retain four players from the available pool before the player auction.

In addition, every team will be permitted one direct signing of a foreign player who did not feature in PSL 10, a move designed to inject fresh international talent into the competition.

The PCB also confirmed that PSL 11 will get underway on March 26, 2026, and will mark Faisalabad’s first-ever stint as a host city. The venue will join Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi, expanding the league to five host cities.

READ: Former New Zealand cricketer named Islamabad United new head coach

PSL 11 auction: All you need to know about players, base prices and team purse

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday revealed key details regarding the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 player auction, including the base prices, team composition and the minimum purse of each franchise.

The details were revealed following the conclusion of the PSL 11 auction workshop designed to familiarize the stakeholders with the process.

Among the key details, the base prices of players and the minimum incremental bids were confirmed, all in Pakistani Rupees. The top bracket base prices are PKR 4.2 crore, PKR 2.2 crore, PKR 1.1 crore, and PKR 60 lacs.

Minimum incremental bids are as follows:

PKR 250,000 for bid amounts under PKR 1.1 crore
PKR 500,000 for bid amounts under PKR 2.2 crore
PKR 1,000,000 for bid amounts under PKR 4.2 crore
PKR 1,500,000 for bid amounts above PKR 4.2 crore

According to the cricket board, the outfits are free to bid higher than the specified minimum increments.

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Additionally, each team will be required to have minimum of 16 and maximum 20 players in their roster, including five to seven foreign players, determined by the total squad size.

It is mandatory for each franchise to included a minimum of two uncapped U23 players in their squad, with one featuring in the starting eleven.

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The picked or retained players in PSL 11 auction will be signed on two-year contracts, with each outfit allowed to retain a maximum of seven players for the 12th edition of the tournament.

After PSL 12, a grand auction will be held, allowing teams to retain up to five players, with any released player entering the player auction pool.

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As it was announced earlier, each team will also be allowed to directly sign one foreign player who did not feature in PSL X. Meanwhile the franchise team purse of PKR 45 crore could be increased to PKR 50.5 crore to accommodate directly signed foreign players.

The PCB will additionally support teams in signing top international players.

For those unaware, the expanded edition of the PSL 11 is scheduled to get underway on March 26, 2026.

READ: PCB reveals date for historic PSL 11 auction

PCB reveals date for historic PSL 11 auction

LAHORE: The historic auction for the landmark Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 edition will be held on Wednesday, 11 February, the PCB announced in a press release on Sunday.

The date was revealed during the PSL player auction workshop organized to familiarize stakeholders with the auction process.

During the workshop, star cricketers including Babar Azam and all the stakeholders of PSL were present.

“Workshop was presided by Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi and CEO PSL Salman Naseer and was attended by HBL PSL officials, all eight franchise representatives, members of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad, PCB officials and other capped players,” the board said in a press release statement.

On this occasion, Mohsin Naqvi praised the initiative and tipped the upcoming auction as a cornerstone for improving players growth.

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“I’m delighted that a consultative and productive session was held between the franchises, players and management today resulting in informed and strategic decisions which will pave the way for bright future for the HBL PSL,” he said.

“The Player Auction model is a landmark step for the HBL PSL, offering players better financial opportunities through an increased salary purse and a transparent acquisition process, while making the league more competitive and attractive, he added.

Meanwhile, PSL Salman Naseer also shared his thoughts on this occasion, calling the auction a landmark event in tournament’s growth.

“The HBL PSL’s highly-anticipated New Era is finally here. The player auction system modernises player recruitment by promoting fairness, transparency, and market-driven value, strengthening the HBL PSL’s appeal for both players, franchises and most importantly meets the expectations of our loyal fans,” he said.

“Today’s workshop saw all views being taken into consideration and this rich feedback will be reflected in our execution of a successful player auction scheduled next month. More excitement is on the way,” he explained.

For the unversed, the expanded edition of the PSL Will get underway on March 26, 2026, and will mark Faisalabad’s first-ever stint as a host city. The venue will join Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi, expanding the league to five host cities.

READ: WATCH: Babar Azam among stars at PSL player auction workshop

Shoaib Malik announces retirement ahead of PSL 11

Veteran batter Shoaib Malik has announced his retirement from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) ahead of landmark season 11.

Shoaib shared the news on his social media handle, recalling cherished memories over the past decade.

“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,” he wrote.

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“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 PSL.”

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For the unversed, Shoaib Malik has been a mainstay of the PSL since its very beginning, having represented four different franchises – Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators. He played his last match for Quetta Gladiators in PSL X.

He is currently the fourth-leading run-scorer in the history of the PSL, accumulating a total of 2,350 runs with an average of 33.09 across 92 games.

In addition to his batting prowess, Malik has also showcased his all-round capabilities, taking 17 wickets over the years.

Overall, Malik is the sixth-highest run getter in T20 cricket with 13571 runs to his name. The right-hander has notched up 83 half-centuries at a strike rate of 127.24.

Besides his T20 career, Malik was a key member of Pakistan’s 2009 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup-winning squad and captained the national side in all three formats during his career.

In total, the all-rounder played 446 international matches for Pakistan, accumulating 11867 runs with the help of 12 centuries and 61 half-centuries alongside 218 scalps.

READ: New Zealand suffer injury setbacks ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

PSL 11 players draft: tentative date revealed

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 players’ draft is expected to take place on January 30, with preparations already underway ahead of the expanded edition of the tournament, sources told on Saturday.

According to insiders, PSL management is working to complete all procedural and administrative matters well in advance to ensure a smooth and timely draft process.

While the venue and final date are yet to be announced officially, sources revealed that the event has been tentatively scheduled during a one-day gap in the Pakistan-Australia T20I series, i.e., January 30.

Notably, PSL has officially expanded ahead of season 11 in a historic auction, with Hyderabad and Sialkot confirmed as the two new franchises following a high-stakes auction held at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad.

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The two teams will make their debut in PSL season 11, joining the existing six franchises: Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United, and Multan Sultans.

FKS Group acquired the Sialkot franchise for Rs1.75 billion, while OZ Developers secured the Hyderabad team for Rs1.85 billion. The official names of the Hyderabad and Sialkot teams will be announced at a later stage.

The 11th edition of the PSL is scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3, 2026.

READ: Shubman Gill breaks silence on T20 World Cup 2026 exclusion

PCB Chief Naqvi announces PSL 11 kickoff date

NEW YORK: Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 will be held from March 26 to May 3, 2026, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi announced on Sunday.

The announcement was made during the league’s second global roadshow in New York, which was attended by several current and former cricketers — Salman Ali Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, Saud Shakeel, Faheem Ashraf, Wasim Akram, and Ramiz Raja.

“A lot of investors here asked us about the timeline of the PSL. So, I can tell you one thing that the PSL 11, by the will of Almighty Allah, will start on March 26, and we are planning to hold the final on May 3,” Naqvi revealed.

Mohsin Naqvi also announced the revised schedule for the auction of the two new PSL teams, noting that it will now take place on January 8.

A few days earlier, Mohsin Naqvi wrote about the extension on his ‘X’ handle in which he also mentioned the upcoming second roadshow aimed at attracting investors worldwide.

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“Witnessing growing interest from the Europe, USA, the Middle East and beyond in acquiring new HBL PSL teams, we have decided to extend the bid submission deadline by one week to 22 December 2025,” Mohsin Naqvi wrote.

For those unaware, the roadshows are part of the PCB’s global outreach strategy aimed at engaging with international investors ahead of the auction of two HBL PSL franchises.

It is pertinent to mention that PSL, which began in 2016 with five outfits, is set to expand with the addition of two new teams.

Notably, the league expanded to five teams in 2018 with the addition of Multan Sultans.

With the addition of two new teams, the league will undergo its first major restructuring in seven years, taking the total to eight teams.

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PCB pushes back bid deadline for new PSL teams

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced the extension of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) teams bidding deadline amid growing interest from around the globe.

Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman PCB, wrote about the extension on his ‘X’ handle in which he also mentioned the upcoming second roadshow aimed at attracting investors worldwide.

“Good luck to everyone, excited to welcome our new franchise owners to the HBL PSL family.”

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This comes after the PSL’s first roadshow, held at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. The event was attended by Pakistan star players Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, and former cricketers.

After the first roadshow, the PCB is set to host another global roadshow in New York tomorrow, which will engage international investors ahead of the auction of the two new outfits.

“The New York Roadshow is part of the PCB’s global outreach strategy aimed at engaging with international investors ahead of the auction of two HBL PSL franchises, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 6 January 2026,” the board had said in a press release.

“The initiative is designed to highlight the league’s commercial strength, global following, and long-term growth potential,” the statement added.

It is pertinent to mention that PSL, which began in 2016 with five outfits, is set to expand with the addition of two new teams.

Notably, the league expanded to five teams in 2018 with the addition of Multan Sultans.

With the addition of two new teams, the league will undergo its first major restructuring in seven years, taking the total to eight teams.

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Star-studded lineup for PSL second global roadshow revealed

LAHORE: T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha will headline the star-studded lineup of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) second global roadshow in New York, USA.

Apart from Agha, five other players, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, and Saud Shakeel, will add sparkle to the event.

The announcement came via the Pakistan Cricket Board’s website, with the event scheduled for 13 December at 4p.m.

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“The initiative is designed to highlight the league’s commercial strength, global following, and long-term growth potential,” it added.

The press release also mentioned inquiring about details by emailing [email protected].

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This will be the second PSL roadshow in a week, with the previous one held at Lord’s Cricket Ground on December 7.

Ace batter Babar Azam, former captain Wasim Akram, and opener Sahibzada Farhan, Haris Rauf, commentator Ramiz Raja, and singer Ali Zafar headlined the event.

It is pertinent to mention that PSL, which began in 2016 with five outfits, is set to expand with the addition of two new teams.

Notably, the league expanded to five teams in 2018 with the addition of Multan Sultans.

With the addition of two new teams, the league will undergo its first major restructuring in seven years, taking the total to eight teams.

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Babar Azam calls PSL ‘stepping stone’ for young players

LONDON: Pakistan ace batter Babar Azam credited the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for playing a pivotal role in shaping his cricketing career, stating that it serves as a launchpad for youngsters to develop into professional players.

Speaking during the PSL roadshow at Lord’s, Babar reflected on his journey in the league over the years, admitting that the tournament has played a pivotal role in uplifting his professional career.

“Journey has been really good, and also the experience. As a youngster, when I played [in the PSL], the only thing on my mind was that ‘I should learn from the top players as much as I can’,” he said

And, I shared dressing room with many big players, and it helped me a lot as a person and as a cricketer,” Babar continued.

The right-handed batter also talked about sharing the dressing room with cricketing giants and the learning experience from the game’s greats.

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“I used to try to go and talk to established cricketers at that time like [Kumar] Sangakkara, Chris Gayle, [Andre] Russell, and Mahela Jayawardene.

To share dressing room with them, observe the way they talk and what they teach us, helped me a lot because they have a long journey behind them and plenty of experience,” Babar recalled.

He further said about his cricketing idol AB de Villiers, noting that, due to the PSL, he met him, and that the league now serves as a platform for youngsters.

“The main thing was that I met my idol because of the PSL, as he came to play in it. I asked him [a lot of things], and that was like a fan moment for me,” Babar shared.

“Means a lot. As a youngster, it was a platform for me. Now, as a senior player, having been through a long journey, I advise youngsters to take this as an opportunity, groom themselves as players, and learn as much as they can,” Babar Azam concluded.

READ: Mohsin Naqvi shares ‘vision’ to make PSL world’s No.1 league

Mohsin Naqvi shares ‘vision’ to make PSL world’s No.1 league

LONDON: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday vowed to make the Pakistan Super League (PSL) one of the best T20 leagues in the world.

Naqvi expressed these thoughts during the PSL roadshow at the home of cricket, Lord’s Cricket Ground.

The PSL roadshow was organized to highlight the league’s growth over the years and attract investors.

“To make this league [PSL] the world’s No.1 league. That’s the vision,” he said during the panel discussion alongside former cricketers Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja.

“And with so many people around like Ramiz and Wasim. I don’t think so, it’s a difficult task, and I’m very much sure that we will make this league’s world No.1,” he maintained.

The chairman mentioned some of the suggestions he received from the players and former cricketers.

“Last night, Ramiz was giving us some amazing advice. Even today, when we were sitting with Babar, Haris , and Farhan, they were advising us on some things. So this advice are worth implementing,” Naqvi revealed.

Mohsin Naqvi also recalled the inaugural edition of the PSL and revealed that he was among those who wanted to buy an outfit in Pakistan’s marquee league.

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“I can only advise, but the decision is yours. Yes, I was one of those who were very keen to get the team when the teams were being auctioned, Mohsin Naqvi recalled.

He stated that it was his mistake to go for only one team when there were five while emphasizing the outcome for the owners who will buy a franchise in the upcoming years.

“My mistake was that I was ready to spend money on just one team, on one name. If I had bid for all the teams, I would have got one.

But anyways, that’s the mistake, and still I feel bad because the price of the team that the owners got at that time and now, is I don’t know how many times more,” Naqvi explained.

“So, think about one thing, whatever you’ll be investing now, after 10 years, I can tell you one thing, it will be worth it. So, my advice is, take the risk, get the team, and I am sure you will be one of the very lucky ones who will feel really good after getting a team,” he suggested.

For the unversed, PSL, which began in 2016 with five outfits, is set to expand with the addition of two new teams.

Notably, the league expanded to five teams in 2018 with the inclusion of Multan Sultans.

With the addition of two new teams in the upcoming edition, the league will undergo its first major restructuring in seven years, taking the total to eight teams.

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