PSL 11 Auction Results 2026: Full Squads, Top Buys, and the 8-Team Revolution

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has officially entered a bold new era. Moving away from its decade-long draft system, the PSL 2026 Auction held on February 11, 2026, at the Expo Centre in Lahore, has completely redefined the landscape of T20 cricket in Pakistan.

With the addition of two new franchises and a historic shift to a bidding model, the 11th edition of the league (PSL 11) is set to be the biggest yet. Here is everything you need to know about the auction results, the most expensive players, and how the eight teams are shaping up.

1. The Historic Shift: From Draft to Auction

For the first ten seasons, the PSL relied on a category-based draft system. However, for 2026, the PCB introduced a full player auction, similar to the IPL model. This change was designed to:

* Increase Market Value: Allow players to earn based on demand rather than fixed categories.

* Enhance Transparency: Create a clear bidding process for all stakeholders.

* Level the Playing Field: Give new franchises a fair chance to build competitive squads.

The auction saw over 800 registered players, with 103 ultimately finding homes across the eight franchises.

2. New Teams and Rebranding

The PSL has expanded from six to eight teams for the 2026 season:

* Sialkot Stallionz: A legendary domestic name returns to the big stage.

* Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen: Representing the vibrant cricket culture of Hyderabad.

* Rawalpindi (formerly Multan Sultans): Following a change in ownership to Walee Technologies, the Multan franchise has relocated and rebranded as Rawalpindi.

3. Top Picks: The Million-Dollar Stars

The auction room was electric, with bidding wars breaking records. While local heroes remained high in demand, international stars fetched unprecedented sums.

The Most Expensive Players of PSL 2026

| Player | Team | Price (PKR) |

|---|---|---|

| Steve Smith | Sialkot Stallionz | 14 Crore |

| Naseem Shah | Rawalpindi | 8.65 Crore |

| Faheem Ashraf | Islamabad United | 8.50 Crore |

| Daryl Mitchell | Rawalpindi | 8.05 Crore |

| Fakhar Zaman | Lahore Qalandars | 7.95 Crore |

| David Warner | Karachi Kings | 7.90 Crore |

Steve Smith made history as the most expensive player in PSL history, securing a massive 14 Crore PKR deal with the Sialkot Stallionz. Meanwhile, Naseem Shah took the title of the highest-paid Pakistani player at the auction, joining the newly formed Rawalpindi side.

4. Team-by-Team Squad Highlights

Islamabad United

United focused on versatility. They retained Shadab Khan and Devon Conway (direct signing) while splashing cash on Faheem Ashraf and Mark Chapman.

* Key Names: Shadab Khan, Devon Conway, Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Shamar Joseph.

Karachi Kings

The Kings went for "Star Power." By securing David Warner and Moeen Ali, they have one of the most explosive batting lineups in the league.

* Key Names: David Warner, Moeen Ali, Hasan Ali, Adam Zampa, Azam Khan.

Lahore Qalandars

The defending champions stuck to their "Pace is Pace" mantra. They successfully brought back Haris Rauf and Fakhar Zaman while keeping their captain Shaheen Afridi.

* Key Names: Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Fakhar Zaman, Mustafizur Rahman.

Peshawar Zalmi

Zalmi maintained their core around Babar Azam. They added Australian all-rounder Aaron Hardie to provide balance.

* Key Names: Babar Azam, Aaron Hardie, Mohammad Haris, Aamir Jamal.

Rawalpindi

The rebranded side spent heavily to create a formidable bowling unit. Naseem Shah and Mohammad Amir sharing the new ball is a dream scenario for Pindi fans.

* Key Names: Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Daryl Mitchell.

Quetta Gladiators

Quetta looked for stability, retaining Abrar Ahmed and bringing in Rilee Rossouw via the auction to anchor the middle order.

* Key Names: Rilee Rossouw, Abrar Ahmed, Spencer Johnson, Mohammad Hasnain.

Sialkot Stallionz (New)

Sialkot made the biggest splash by signing Steve Smith. They’ve built a squad that mixes experienced international campaigners with local domestic talent.

* Key Names: Steve Smith, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza.

Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen (New)

The Kingsmen focused on modern T20 specialists. Marnus Labuschagne and Saim Ayub will likely lead their charge.

* Key Names: Saim Ayub, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khan, Riley Meredith.

5. Strategic Direct Signings

Before the auction, teams were allowed one "Direct Signing"—an overseas player who did not play in PSL 2025. This brought fresh faces to the league:

* Devon Conway (Islamabad United)

* Moeen Ali (Karachi Kings)

* Mustafizur Rahman (Lahore Qalandars)

* Spencer Johnson (Quetta Gladiators)

6. What This Means for Fans

The move to an auction system has increased the stakes. Fans can now see the "market value" of their favorite stars, and the inclusion of two new teams means more matches, more venues, and more opportunities for young Pakistani talent to shine.

The PSL 2026 is scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3, 2026, clashing slightly with the IPL window. This sets the stage for a global battle for viewership, with the PSL boasting one of the highest-quality bowling standards in the world.

Conclusion

The PSL 2026 Auction has proven that the league is no longer just a "development" tournament; it is a global powerhouse capable of attracting the biggest names in cricket. With Steve Smith, David Warner, and Naseem Shah headlining the rosters, the 11th edition promises to be a thriller.

> Final Thought: With eight teams in the mix, who do you think has the strongest squad on paper? Sialkot's star-studded lineup or Lahore's settled core?

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