After failing to sell in the Indian Premier League 2026 auction and missing out on selection for Australia’s T20 World Cup squad, Steve Smith has found a new home in the Pakistan Super League. The former Australia captain was signed by PSL newcomers Sialkot Stallionz ahead of the league’s 11th season.
Smith was picked up as a direct signing, a move made possible by a new PSL regulation that allows franchises to sign one player outside of the player draft. The full draft for the upcoming season is scheduled for February 11. The Sialkot Stallionz are one of two new teams added to the Pakistan Super League, which has expanded to eight franchises for the 2026 season, with the other new team coming from Hyderabad, Sindh.
The 36-year-old is set to make his PSL debut with Sialkot Stallionz set to announce his signing on Tuesday. Smith will be reunited with former Australia captain Tim Paine, who was earlier appointed as the head coach of the franchise.
“One of the best players ever is the PSL Stallionz!” Paine wrote on X. “Huge for our franchise and PSL T20.”
Smith’s move comes after a prolific run in the Big Bash League earlier this season. Smith, who turned out for the Sydney Sixers in the BBL 2025-26, scored 299 runs in just six matches, striking 167.97 and averaging 59.80. His tally included a century and two half-centuries and played a key role in the Sixers reaching the finals.
Despite this form, Smith was overlooked in Australia’s 2026 T20 World Cup squad. He last played a T20I for Australia in February 2024 and has been on the fringes of the national setup in the shortest format ever since. Overall, Smith has scored 1094 runs in 67 T20Is at a strike rate of 125.45. He was part of Australia’s triumphant World T20 campaign in 2021 but has largely been seen as a Test specialist in recent years.
Australia selector Tony Dodemaide said Smith remains in the squad should an injury arise during the tournament.
“Steve is an exceptional player who has worked very hard on his short form game and has been rewarded with a great stint in the Big Bash batting at the top for the Sixers,” said Dodemaide. “The current T20 top order has been a very successful inclusion in this tournament, so we feel we are well placed in that area. If a replacement is required, Steve is very much in contention and that has been communicated to him.”
While the IPL auction passed with no interest in the veteran batter, Smith made it clear that his ambitions do not end at the international level. The right-hander has spoken openly about targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where cricket is set to return to the games.
“I always want to play for Australia in big tournaments. But I think that ship (T20 World Cup) has sailed. I reckon they have two opening batsmen who are doing pretty well. I’m relaxed, doing what I can and having a bit of fun,” Smith said earlier.
“My main goal, like I said before, is to make the team when the Olympics roll around. I’d love to do that. That would be pretty cool. Keep doing what I’m doing and you never know.”
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
February 3, 2026
