Big retentions, high-profile releases ahead of PSL 11 auction

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Super League franchises have locked in their retained players and released several big names ahead of the league’s first-ever players’ auction, scheduled for Feb. 11, marking a major shift in how squads are built.

Under the revised rules for PSL 11, teams were allowed to retain only four players, compared to up to eight in previous seasons, forcing franchises to make tough calls and release several established stars into the auction pool.

Entering the auction pool is a high-risk, high-reward situation for players. While strong demand can lead to higher prices, shifting team needs and limited budgets can result in a player going unsold.

Lahore Qalandars, the defending champions, retained skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi (Platinum), Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold), and Mohammad Naeem (Silver). Big names such as Fakhar Zaman and Haris Rauf were released and will be available in the auction.

Peshawar Zalmi held on to their core by retaining captain Babar Azam (Platinum), spinner Sufiyan Muqeem (Diamond), Abdul Samad (Gold), and young pacer Ali Raza (Emerging). Players like Mohammad Haris, Hussain Talat, and Saim Ayub were released.

Quetta Gladiators opted for a balanced mix, keeping Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hassan Nawaz (Gold), and Shamyl Hussain (Emerging). Notably, experienced campaigners Mohammad Amir, Faheem Ashraf, and Saud Shakeel, the skipper in PSL 10, were released.

Karachi Kings retained Hasan Ali (Platinum), Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold), and wicketkeeper Saad Baig (Emerging). Former captain Shan Masood, star bowler Mir Hamza, and overseas star David Warner were among the high-profile names heading to the auction.

Islamabad United kept captain Shadab Khan (Platinum), pacer Salman Irshad (Gold), and USA batter Andries Gous (Silver). Senior players, including Naseem Shah, Imad Wasim, and Mohammad Nawaz, were released.

Multan Sultans took the boldest route, opting for zero retentions. As a result, marquee players such as Mohammad Rizwan, Usama Mir, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Mohammad Hasnain will all enter the auction, with the franchise heading in with a full purse of $1.6 million.

PSL 11 auction

The PSL’s first-ever auction will be held on Feb. 11 and comes ahead of a historic expansion of the league from six to eight teams. Hyderabad and Sialkot Stallionz will make their debut in PSL 11.

The Hyderabad franchise was acquired by Fawad Sarwar for approximately $6.25 million, while Hamza Majeed secured ownership of Sialkot Stallionz with a winning bid of around $6.6 million.

The 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League is set to begin on March 26 and will run until May 3, with the auction expected to reshape team combinations ahead of the expanded season.