Peshawar Zalmi have retained Babar Azam in the Platinum category ahead of the Pakistan Super League 11 players’ auction scheduled for February 11.
The announcement came as all Pakistan Super League franchises revealed their lists of retained players for the upcoming season. The league will introduce a major structural change in PSL 11 by replacing the traditional draft with an auction-based player selection system.
In the first ten editions, teams could retain up to eight players. Under the revised rules, franchises can retain only four players across categories, forcing teams to make tough decisions before the auction.
Peshawar Zalmi confirmed Babar Azam’s retention in the Platinum category. The franchise also retained Sufiyan Muqeem in Diamond, Abdul Samad in Gold, and Ali Raza in the Emerging category.
The announcement placed Zalmi among the teams opting to retain a mix of experienced players and emerging talent as the auction approaches.
Islamabad United
Islamabad United announced their retention list from a pool of 15 players. The franchise retained Shadab Khan in the Platinum category, Salman Ali Agha in the Gold category, and Andries Gous in the Silver category. Islamabad United chose not to retain any player from the Diamond and Emerging categories.
Karachi Kings
Karachi Kings named 16 players across categories before finalising their retentions. The franchise retained Hasan Ali in Platinum, Abbas Afridi in Diamond, Khushdil Shah in Gold, and Saad Baig in the Emerging category. No player was retained from the Silver category.
Quetta Gladiators
Quetta Gladiators placed 14 players across categories. The franchise retained Abrar Ahmed in Platinum, Usman Tariq in Diamond, Hassan Nawaz in Gold, and Shamyl Hussain in the Emerging category. The Silver category was left vacant.
Lahore Qalandars
Lahore Qalandars announced 13 players across categories. The franchise retained Shaheen Shah Afridi in Platinum, Abdullah Shafique in Diamond, Sikandar Raza in Gold, and Mohammad Naeem in Silver. No Emerging player was retained.
The reduced retention limit and the new auction system deliver the biggest shift in PSL squad-building history. Teams now compete more intensely for top players, and the auction format should improve transparency and add strategic depth.
With several marquee players heading into the auction pool, franchises will need to balance budgets, squad balance, and long-term planning.
