HBL PSL 2026 Retention Shakeup Sets Stage for Historic Auction

HBL PSL 2026: Retention Decisions Cause Big Auction Prep

Before the league’s first auction, the six HBL Pakistan Super League teams said who they’re keeping for the 2026 season. Multan Sultans’ plan is super shocking. The champs, Lahore Qalandars, kept their main players, but the Sultans are starting over, dropping their whole team before the auction on February 11.

Team Loyalty Meets Smart Risks

The lists of retained players mix loyalty to big team names with smart bets on new guys. Lahore Qalandars, the winners, are keeping their awesome captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, a three-time PSL champ, in the Platinum group. They also kept Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), a good batter, Sikandar Raza (Gold), an experienced all-rounder, and Mohammad Naeem (Silver), a rising star from HBL PSL X. They’re trying to stay consistent while helping out young players.

Other teams also kept their main guys. Peshawar Zalmi’s sticking with Babar Azam, the league’s top scorer, as their Platinum guy. Islamabad United is keeping Shadab Khan, their captain, for his tenth year. Karachi Kings held onto Hasan Ali, the league’s best bowler, and Quetta Gladiators are trusting Abrar Ahmed’s spin as their Platinum player. These guys give their teams a solid base and identity.

Multan Sultans’ Crazy Move

Multan Sultans made the biggest surprise, keeping no one from last year. This big move means they’re starting from scratch, giving them lots of cash for the auction. By dropping everyone, the Sultans can bid the most and build a whole new team. It’s risky, but they could win big. They’ll be the focus of the auction as they try to build a great team fast.

Focus on Young Talent

Besides the Platinum players, the teams are trying to keep young Pakistani talent. They used categories like Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Emerging to keep guys like Quetta’s Usman Tariq and Shamyl Hussain, Zalmi’s Sufyan Moqim and Ali Raza, and Karachi’s Saad Baig. They want big stars for leadership and marketing, and they want to grow local talent to stay competitive and keep fans happy.

Get Ready for an Auction Like Never Before

With the retention lists done, we know what’s up for the auction on February 11. The two new teams—Hyderabad and Sialkot Stallionz (led by Steven Smith)—have until February 7 to sign players directly and keep anyone from the player pools. All the teams will come with different needs and budgets. Lahore and Islamabad have good teams already and need a few more players. Multan Sultans, though, are starting fresh with lots of money, making them the team to watch. This change from a draft to an auction will bring crazy bidding, surprise moves, and new teams, changing how teams are built in the HBL PSL.

In short: A Changing League

The 2026 retention lists are a big deal for the HBL PSL. The loyalty to local stars like Shaheen, Babar, and Shadab shows the strong connection between teams and their fans. But Multan’s fresh start and the addition of global stars like Steven Smith show the league is pushing for a more exciting, market-driven future. The auction is more than just getting players; it’s about team-building philosophy. Will the teams that kept their stars win, or will Multan’s big risk pay off? The answers will shape HBL PSL Season 11.