PSL 2026 Player Retentions: Why Multan Sultans Released Their Entire Squad

Q: When is the PSL 2026 auction?

The auction is scheduled for 11 February 2026 .

PSL 2026 Player Retentions

The PSL 2026 Player Retentions window brought one of the most surprising moves in Pakistan Super League history. While most franchises confirmed key players retained from last season, the Multan Sultans made a shock decision to release their entire squad ahead of the 2026 auction. This bold move has raised eyebrows and sparked debate among fans and analysts alike, reshaping expectations for PSL 11.

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Team	Retained Players
Lahore Qalandars	Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abdullah Shafique, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Naeem
Quetta Gladiators	Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, Hasan Nawaz, Shamyl Hussain
Islamabad United	Shadab Khan, Salman Irshad, Andries Gous
Peshawar Zalmi	Babar Azam, Sufyan Moqim, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza
Karachi Kings	Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Saad Baig
Multan Sultans	Released All Players
Sialkot Stallionz	To Announce Soon
Hyderabad	To Announce Soon

What Are PSL 2026 Player Retentions?

The PSL 2026 Player Retentions process allows teams to keep a set number of players from their previous season squad before a major auction. This year, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) introduced a limit: franchises were allowed to retain up to four players, one from each category such as Platinum, Diamond, Gold, and Emerging.

This change aims to balance competition, give new teams a fair chance, and ensure a dynamic auction ahead of the 2026 season. The player retention strategy affects budgets and squad planning significantly.

Why Multan Sultans Released Their Entire Squad

Multan Sultans took a bold and rare step by releasing every member of their previous squad, including top players like captain Mohammad Rizwan. Here are the main reasons behind this decision:

Rebuilding Strategy: Starting fresh gives the Sultans total control at the auction without legacy commitments.
Full Auction Purse: By releasing all players, the team enters the auction with the maximum financial resources to pursue targeted signings.
Changing Team Identity: The decision hints at a strategic shift in squad philosophy potentially focusing on youth, all-round options, or overseas stars.

This approach has generated buzz because Multan had been one of the strongest teams in recent PSL campaigns, and letting go of established names is uncommon.

Breakdown of Other Team Retentions

Here’s how other PSL franchises planned their squads:

Lahore Qalandars focused on pace and all-round balance with Shaheen Afridi and Abdullah Shafique.
Quetta Gladiators leaned on spin strength with Abrar Ahmed.
Peshawar Zalmi’s core around Babar Azam keeps leadership steady.
Karachi Kings retained pace and power with Hasan Ali and Khushdil Shah.

These retentions were announced by franchises and confirmed via the official Pakistan Cricket Board press release and top 10 Google sources.

1. Key Changes From Last Season

Here is a quick look at major changes in the PSL 2026 Player Retentions scenario:

Fewer retainments per team compared to previous years.
Rule changes allow only four retentions per franchise.
Introduction of a full player auction for the first time in PSL history.

These shifts are designed to create competitive balance and make the league more exciting for fans.

2. Impact on the 2026 Auction

The auction scheduled for 11 February 2026 will be the first of its kind in PSL history.

Teams like Multan Sultans now have maximum flexibility.
Popular stars released into the pool could drive intense bidding wars.
New franchises (Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad) can build strong squads from scratch.

Helpline & Contact (From Google)

If you have questions about player retentions, the PSL season, or auction logistics, here are some official helpline options:

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Customer Support: +92 21 9920 5000 (General inquiries)
PSL Official Email: info@thepsl.com
Social Media Support:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thePSLt20
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/thePSLt20
Official Website Help Page: https://www.pcb.com.pk (search PSL section)

Conclusion

The PSL 2026 Player Retentions window delivered excitement and surprises, especially with the Multan Sultans’ decision to release their entire squad. This bold move sets the stage for a high‑stakes auction where teams will rebuild and strategize for PSL 11. Information in this article was drawn from the official PCB announcement and the latest reports