PSL 2026 Retentions: Full List of Franchise & Key Players

The 2026 squad updates for the Pakistan Super League highlight each franchise’s strategy regarding franchise players, platinum retentions, and other key retentions. These selections showcase how teams balance experience, emerging talent, and overall squad composition heading into the new season.

Analysis of Platinum Retentions

Platinum retentions indicate the franchises’ core players who are expected to lead both on and off the field. Peshawar Zalmi have retained Babar Azam as their platinum player, reinforcing their batting strength at the top. Lahore Qalandars have entrusted Shaheen Afridi with their platinum slot, ensuring a solid bowling attack. Islamabad United have kept Shadab Khan, reflecting their focus on an all-round performance with spin and leadership. Karachi Kings rely on Hasan Ali’s pace bowling expertise, while Quetta Gladiators have chosen Abrar Ahmed to anchor their bowling attack. Multan Sultans have opted not to retain any platinum players, indicating a complete rebuild of their squad for the season ahead.

Overview of Other Key Retentions

Alongside platinum players, franchises have retained several other key players across different categories. Peshawar Zalmi’s retained players include Sufyan Moqim (D), Abdul Samad (G), and Ali Raza (E), providing balance in the middle and lower order. Lahore Qalandars have kept Abdullah Shafique (D), Sikandar Raza (G), and Mohammad Naeem (E) to support their batting depth and all-round options. Islamabad United retained Salman Irshad (G) and Andries Gous (S), focusing on bowling variations and fielding strength. Karachi Kings’ Abbas Afridi (D), Khushdil Shah (G), and Saad Baig (E) offer both batting flexibility and strategic depth. Quetta Gladiators’ selections of Usman Tariq (D), Hasan Nawaz (G), and Shamyl Hussain (E) emphasize youth potential and balanced squad composition. Multan Sultans, having released their entire previous squad including Mohammad Rizwan, will enter the season with an entirely new lineup, signaling a strategic reset.

Implications for the 2026 Season

These retention decisions set the stage for the 2026 Pakistan Super League, giving each franchise a clear sense of their squad priorities. Platinum players form the leadership core, while other key retentions fill tactical gaps and maintain balance across batting, bowling, and all-round capabilities. Teams that have retained a mix of experienced and emerging players are likely to benefit from continuity, whereas franchises like Multan Sultans will face the challenge of integrating a completely new squad. Monitoring how these players perform relative to their retained roles will be key in assessing the early phases of the season.