Six Teams Announce Retained Players for Upcoming HBL PSL Season

Lahore, February 4, 2026: Six franchises including defending champions Lahore Qalandars have unveiled their retention lists for the upcoming HBL PSL season 11. The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed on Wednesday that Multan Sultans have not retained any players from their previous squad.

Except Islamabad United, all other franchises—including Quetta Gladiators and Karachi Kings—have each kept four players. Lahore Qalandars have continued to retain a trio of key players: captain Shaheen Shah Afridi in the Platinum category, Abdullah Shafique in the Diamond category, and emerging player Mohammad Naeem in Silver.

Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza will join them in Gold category with the Lahore Qalandars. Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad are scheduled to announce their retentions by Saturday, February 7th.

The HBL PSL’s only three-time captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, has been retained in Platinum category by Lahore Qalandars, alongside Abdullah Shafique in Diamond, Sikandar Raza in Gold, and Mohammad Naeem in Silver. The reigning champions have also kept emerging player of the tournament Mohammad Naeem.

On the Quetta Gladiators side, fast bowler Abrar Ahmed has been retained in Platinum category, followed by left-arm wrist-spinner Usman Tariq, Hasan Nawaz who played as PSL X player of the tournament, and Shamyl Hussain who will play in the emerging category. Babar Azam from Peshawar Zalmi, who leads run-getters with 100 games played, has been retained for a fourth year by his team.

Shadab Khan’s nine-year tenure with Islamabad United is set to continue as he remains in Platinum category. The three-time HBL PSL champions have also kept fast bowler Salman Irshad in Gold and USA wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous, who has recently debuted for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in Silver.

Karachi Kings retained Hasan Ali, who holds the record as the most successful wicket-keeper with 142 career appearances. The franchise has also added Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah and Saad Baig to their Diamond, Gold, and Emerging categories respectively.

Peshawar Zalmi’s Babar Azam is expected to make his fifth appearance in the PSL as he will retain his Platinum status. Quetta Gladiators have not made any retentions at all, marking a notable departure from previous seasons where they often kept players from their squads.