Steve Smith has become the most expensive player in Pakistan Super League (PSL) history after being signed outright by new franchise Sialkot Stallionz for PKR 14 million, or around US$500,000. This the landmark trade was part of the league’s first player auctionwhich replaced the long-standing draft system and attracted significant local and international attention.
The 11th edition of the PSL will feature eight teams for the first time as the competition expands to include Sialkot and Hyderabad. Both new franchises were bought by overseas Pakistani businessmen. The tournament will run from March 26 to May 3 and will overlap with the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Smith’s arrival comes as The Australian batsman is set to come in as cover for the injured Mitchell Marshas he is due to join the squad soon.
In a significant shift, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has introduced a player auction system, moving away from the draft model used for the last decade. The Lahore auction attracted some of the best overseas players including David Warner, Adam Zampa, Devon Conway and Marnus Labuschagne.
A total of 103 players were signed across eight franchises. Naseem Shah emerged as the most expensive Pakistani player when he joined Islamabad United for PKR 8.65 million while his teammate Faheem Ashraf was also picked for PKR 8.5 million.
Babar Azam, one of Pakistan’s leading cricketers, was retained by Peshawar Zalmi for PKR 7 million. Another notable retention was Saim Ayub, who stayed at Peshawar Zalmi for PKR 12.2 million, making him the most expensive local retention.
The 2026 PSL season will also see a major renaming as Multan Sultans have been sold and renamed Rawalpindi following a change of ownership.
PSL 2026: Complete Lineups
Hyderabad Houston Kings
Direct signing – Marnus Labuschagne (5.88 crore)
Retined – Saim Ayab (12.6 million), Akif Javed (1.96 million), Maaz Sadaqat, Usman Khan (4.62 million)
Purchased – Mohammad Ali (2.15 crores), Perera (3.1 cross), Muhammad Irfad Irfan Khan (2.9 crores), Kussan Khan (1.85 crores), Kusan Khan (1.85 crores), Old Irish Yangir (60 lacs), Ostniel Irish (1.61 Khances-class), Mededifes Share Hunain Shah (60 lacs), Rizwan Mehhhn (60 lacs), Sat Ali (60 lacs), Tayab (60 lacs), Tayab (60 lacs)
Islamabad United
Direct signing – Devon Conway (6.3 million)
Retention – Shadab Khan (7 million), Salman Irshad (1.2 million), Andries Gous (1.4 million)
Bought – Faheem Ashraf (8.5 million), Mehran Mumtaz (1.2 million), Max Bryant (1.9 million), Mark Chapman (7 million), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (4.1 million), Mir Hamza Sajjad (70 million), Sameen Gul (60 million), Sha.1 cromares (1.1 million), Shaeer 1 crores Imad Wasim (2.2 million), Richard Gleeson (1.2 million), Haider Ali (1.5 million), Mohammad Hasnain (77.5 million), Dipendra Singh Airee (60 million)
Kings of Karachi
Direct signing – Moeen Ali (6.44 million)
Retention – Hasan Ali (4.76 million), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (3.08 million), Khushdil Shah (3.36 million), Saad Baig (60 million)
Bought – David Warner (7.9 crores), Azam Khan (3.25 crores), Salman Ali Agha (5.85 crores), Shahid Aziz (92.5 crores), Mir Hamza (2.4 crores), Adam Zampa (4.5 crores), Hamza Sohail (60 crores), Tan00 lacsima Klyas (60 crores), Tanyb Ilyas Klyas (60 crores) Johnson Charles (2 crores), Muhammad Waseem (1.1 crores), Ihsanullah (1.05 crores) crores), Rizwanullah (60 lacs)
Lahore Qalandars
Direct Signing – Mustafizur Rahman (6.44 million)
Retention – Shaheen Shah Afridi (7 million), Abdullah Shafique (2.2 million), Sikandar Raza (2.8 million), Mohammad Naeem (70 million)
Bought – Haris Rauf (7.6 million), Usama Mir (3.5 million), Fakhar Zaman (7.95 million), Ubaid Shah (2.7 million), Haseebullah (1.1 million), Mohammad Farooq (60 million), Dasun Shanaka (75 million), Parvezsf Hussain Asiin (60 lacs), Talat (77.5 lacs), Tayyab Tahir (60 lacs), Gudakesh. Motie (1.1 million)
Rawalpindi
Direct signing – none
Retention – Mohammad Rizwan (5.6 million), Sam Billings (3.08 million), Zaman Khan (1.12 million), Yasir Khan (60 million)
Bought – Naseem Shah (8.65 million), Rishad Hossain (3 million), Daryl Mitchell (8.05 million), Mohammad Amir (5.4 million), Abdullah Fazal (67.5 million), Amad Butt (80 million), Dian Forrestor (60 million), Acroidi (1.24 million), Acroidi Kamran Ghulam (65 lacs), Fawad Ali (60 lacs), Mohammad Amir Khan (60 lacs), Shahzaib Khan (60 lacs)
Peshawar Zalmi
Direct signing – Aaron Hardie (6.3 million)
Retained – Babar Azam (7 million), Sufyan Moqim (4.48 million), Abdul Samad (2.8 million), Ali Raza (1.96 million)
Bought – Aamir Jamal (1.90 million), Khuram Shahzad (2.7 million), Mohammad Haris (2.2 million), Khalid Usman (60 million), Abdul Subhan (62.5 million), James Vince (3 million), Michael Bracewell (4.2 million), Kusal Mencrodisedres (4.4 million). Nahid Rana (60 lacs), Mirza Tahir Baig (60 lacs), Kashif Ali (60 lacs)
Gladiators of Cetus
Direct signing – Spencer Johnson (5.6 million)
Retention – Abrar Ahmed (7 million), Usman Tariq (5.6 million), Hasan Nawaz (3.92 million), Shamyl Hussain (84 million)
Bought – Rilee Rossouw (5.55 million), Faisal Akram (1.25 million), Arafat Minhas (1.1 million), Jahandad Khan (2.5 million), Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (6.5 million), Wasim Akram Jnr (77.5 million), B60 lacs Khan Zaib Saqib Khan (60 million), Brett Hampton (60 million), Sam Harper (60 million), Bevon Jacobs (60 million), Ben Saud Shakeel (65 million) McDermott (1.1 million), Tom Curran (4.2 million)
Sialkot Stallions
Direct signing – Steve Smith (14 million)
Retention – Mohammad Nawaz (6.16 million), Mohammad Salman Mirza (3.92 million), Ahmed Daniyal (2.24 million), Saad Masood (84 million)
Bought – Jaanzab Sultan (60 million), Sahibzada Farhan (5.70 million), Ashton Turner (4.2 million), Peter Siddle (2.5 million), Tabraiz Shamsi (2.2 million), Lachlan shaw (60 million), Delano Potgieter (60 million), Josh Phillippe, five (2.3 saffron), Josh Phillippe, five (2.3 saffron) (1.075 million), Muhammad Awais Zafar (60 LACS)
– The end
Published on:
February 12, 2026