The Pakistan Cricket Board is reportedly considering a bold move ahead of the Pakistan Super League 2026 season which involves moving the tournament final out of Pakistan to enhance the league's international recognition. 

The PSL 11 final which is set for May 10 will take place in either the United Kingdom or Dubai or the United States of America according to emerging reports. The proposal was reportedly discussed in recent PCB meetings with franchise owners, where stakeholders felt an overseas finale could significantly enhance commercial value and international visibility.

The idea isn’t entirely new. The first four PSL seasons were hosted in the UAE due to security concerns, before the league fully returned to Pakistan in 2020. The final would establish a landmark first because it would take place in either England or the USA which marks a historic first for PSL and all main South Asian franchise leagues.

The scheduling conflict with the Indian Premier League serves as the primary reason for the decision. The PCB plans to establish distinctive worldwide events which will secure their international audience and sponsor partnerships because PSL 2026 will begin on March 26 and create schedule conflicts with IPL matches.

ALSO SEE: ICC sanctions Pakistan’s Sidra Amin for breaching code of conduct vs South Africa in 1st ODI

Expansion, exposure and the future of PSL

The board has expanded the league to eight teams through its decision to add Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad Kingsmen because they want to create better entertainment through increased match count. The league organizers are working to bring in prominent international players who will help make the league more attractive to fans.

The PSL final becomes an international event through its overseas hosting which creates fresh business opportunities while bringing in overseas fans and showing PSL as a worldwide T20 league instead of a local tournament.

The potential venue change has created a fan debate because fans have not received any official announcement about the new location yet. Some fans welcome international exposure but others worry about moving the league's most important event outside the country's boundaries.

The PCB will make its final decision which will determine the future direction of PSL operations.

The Pakistan Super League 2026 season experienced a major ownership change when CD Ventures acquired 99% of the newly established Sialkot Stallionz because reports showed that OZ Group had reached financial failure. 

The eighth PSL franchise was initially sold to OZ Developers for Rs 1.85 billion during a high-profile expansion auction at the Jinnah Convention Centre. However, concerns reportedly emerged soon after the acquisition, with sources indicating the group’s financial instability and empty accounts.

In a dramatic development Gohar Shah's CD Ventures now controls 99% of the franchise shares. The remaining 1% reportedly stays with OZ Developers because regulatory restrictions stop full transfer within a three-year period. The operational control now belongs entirely to CD Ventures according to current understanding.

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Ownership shake-up sparks debate as Stallionz prepare for PSL debut

The franchise had recently unveiled its identity through a 3D animated reveal which confirmed the historic "Stallionz" name that referred to the Sialkot Stallions team that won six National T20 Cup titles from 2005 to 2012 and achieved a 25-match unbeaten streak.

The ownership changes have created a discussion about franchise expansion requirements for due diligence because PSL 11 will become a historic event with the league's expansion to eight teams. The Sialkot Stallionz will proceed with their scheduled tournament debut which will take place on March 26 despite the ongoing challenges.

CD Ventures now controls financial operations which allows the organization to resume its focus on cricket activities. The incident has brought attention to franchise governance and transparency issues which occur just weeks before the PSL auction and season opening.

The Quetta Gladiators have officially begun a new leadership period after announcing Saud Shakeel as their new captain for the upcoming Pakistan Super League 2026 season. The appointment marks a strategic shift for the franchise as they look to rebuild momentum after several challenging campaigns.

Shakeel, who currently serves as Pakistan’s ODI vice-captain, replaces South African batter Rilee Rossouw at the helm. Quetta has chosen to develop its organizational future through this choice because they believe in the player who demonstrates both calmness and consistent performance and possesses strong tactical skills.

The franchise management confirmed that Shakeel will not only lead the side but is also expected to take on greater responsibility with the bat, likely opening the innings in PSL 2026. Quetta plans to enhance its league performance through his promotion, which forms part of their comprehensive plan to complete their team transformation.

Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who led the Gladiators from 2016 to 2023 and guided them to their maiden PSL title in 2019, has transitioned fully into a coaching role. He now serves as head coach, working alongside team manager Moin Khan to reshape the squad’s approach and culture.

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Fresh captaincy marks turning point for Quetta Gladiators

The Quetta Gladiators stand as one of PSL's most historically significant teams because they represent Balochistan while maintaining a dedicated supporter base. The team achieved early success during the league's initial years through three playoff appearances but their recent performance decline led to a complete team management replacement.

The organization sees Shakeel's hiring as an opportunity to begin anew. His calm nature and increasing influence in Pakistan cricket make him an ideal choice to lead the team through his implementation of modern leadership techniques that match the franchise's future plans.

The Quetta Gladiators need their new captain to create positive changes which will bring their team back to championship contention because they want to restore the competitive spirit that formerly made them one of the league's strongest teams.

The newly added franchise of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), ahead of the 2026 season of the tournament, the Hyderabad Kingsmen, has officially signed Australian star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, which will bring more exposure to the tournament. The hard-hitting batter will join his compatriot Marnus Labuschagne, who was signed a month earlier in the direct signing. 

Glenn Maxwell has gone through a tough patch during the T20 World Cup 2026, which saw Australia make a group-stage exit in the event. The right-handed batter has featured in several major franchise tournaments, including the Big Bash League (BBL), Indian Premier League (IPL), The Hundred, and the Vitality Blast.

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Maxwell has overall smashed 10986 runs in 467 innings of the shortest format at an average of 27.53 and a strike rate of 154/16 with the help of 58 half-centuries and eight centuries at the best score of unbeaten 154 runs. He has overall drilled 571 sixes in the 20-over format of the game.

Hyderabad Kingsmen sign Glenn Maxwell ahead of PSL 2026

Apart from his runs, Maxwell has also been a massive contributor with the ball as the right-arm spinner has bagged 196 wickets in 339 innings at an average of 30.35, a strike rate of 23.1, and an economy rate of under eight at the best bowling figures of 3/10 in an innings.

🚨 MASSIVE SIGNING BY HYDERABAD 🚨

- Hyderabad Kingsmen have signed Glenn Maxwell for the PSL 2026. 🔥🤯 pic.twitter.com/6XKgu88RbB

— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) February 19, 2026

Maxwell, a few months earlier, retired from the Indian Premier League (IPL) after recording 2819 runs in 135 innings of the tournament at an average of 23.88 and a strike rate of 155.14 with the help of 18 half-centuries. His best season in the league came in 2021 for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) when he smashed 513 runs at a strike rate of 144.10 with the help of six half-centuries.

Hyderabad has retained Saim Ayub, Maaz Sadaqat, Akif Javed, and Usman Khan, in addition to winning the services of Shayan Jahangir, alongside Sharjeel Khan, Husain Shah, Riley Meredith, Ottneil Baartman, Hasan Khan, and others.

Star Zimbabwe bowler has been signed by Islamabad United for the PSL 2026 as a replacement for the Caribbean fast bowler Shamar Joseph.

PSL 2026: Blessing Muzarabani joins Islamabad United as replacement

The 29-year-old Zimbabwe right-arm fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has been signed for Islamabad United as a replacement for Shamar Joseph. 

Big news! Islamabad United have signed Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement for Shamar Joseph.

Pending approval from the PSL, Muza will join Sikandar Raza in this years PSL! pic.twitter.com/R52BkmVK8X

— Adam Theo🇿🇼🏏 (@AdamTheofilatos) February 14, 2026

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Why did Islamabad United release Shamar Joseph?

Islamabad United bought the 26-year-old Caribbean fast bowler Shamar Joseph for PKR 1.10 crore in the latest PKL auction. However, since then, the franchise has faced huge backlash through social media for picking up the controversial Caribbean fast bowler. 

In June 2025, the 2024 Gabba Test hero Shamar Joseph was accused of rape by 11 women, including a teen cousin. Due to this accusation, Islamabad United have faced massive backlash for selecting him for the upcoming PSL 2026. 

In the heat moment, Islamabad United have updated the squad by dropping the controversial Caribbean fast bowler. Meanwhile, Blessing Muzarabani has joined the PSL team as a replacement.

Blessing Muzarabani is currently trending for his brilliant match-winning bowling performance against Australia, as Zimbabwe beat Australia by 23 runs in their Group B meeting in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 last Friday (February 13), where he also became the third Zimbabwe bowler to complete 100 T20I wickets. 

Islamabad United are the joint leading PSL title holders by winning it three times in 2016, 2018, and 2024. Playing as the defending champions, they reached the Eliminator 2 last season, where they suffered a 95-run defeat against Lahore Qalandars. 

The Pakistan Super League (PSL)2026 franchise, Islamabad United, has quietly released the West Indies pacer, Shamar Joseph, just hours after they confirmed the player’s signing for the 2026 season of the tournament, which has surprised the fans and raises questions regarding their decision. They have also deleted the post of the bowler coming into the side during the auction.

The franchise initially declared the signing of Shamar Joseph during the historic auction on February 11, reporting the PKR 1.10 crore deal to strengthen their pace attack with the international experience. But within hours, the three-time champions drew attention from the fans and the media. However, they have not issued any formal explanation for the sudden reversal.

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The Guyana pacer, who got his name into the history with a historic bowling performance at the Gabba in Brisbane during West Indies’ victory against Australia in the day-night pink-ball contest, faced serious allegations in June last year, including the accusations of rape, sexual assault, and harassment, with 11 women as no formal criminal charge has been filed.

Islamabad United release Shamar Joseph post PSL 2026 auction

Joseph has overall picked up 19 wickets in 17 innings of the shortest format at an average of 28.10 and an economy rate of 9.20. During their two successive victories of the T20 World Cup 2026 against Scotland and England in Kolkata and Mumbai, respectively, Joseph bagged two wickets and bowled well in various phases of the game.

Watch the video here: 

🚨 PSL IS A JOKE 🚨

11 Feb - Islamabad United bought Shamar Joseph for PKR 1.10 Crore in Auction 👏🏻

12 Feb - Islamabad United released Shamar Joseph after outrage from Pakistani fans 😲

- What's your take 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Ub0bCnGmC9

— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) February 12, 2026

Overall, in 33 innings of the T20s, the right-arm pacer has bagged 33 wickets at an average of 29.66 and an economy rate of just over nine. Islamabad remained active in the auction as they retained their key players such as Shadab Khan, Salman Irshad, and Andries Gous, and they also bagged the services of Faheem Ashraf for PSK 8.50 crore.

Apart from this, the United also signed the New Zealand all-rounder, Daryl Mitchell, their left-handed middle order batter, Mark Chapman, the right-arm pacer of England, Richard Gleeson, the Nepal all-rounder, Dipendra Singh Airee, and Australia’s Max Bryant. They will soon start their preparation for the competition.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) made history on Wednesday as it held its first-ever player auction, replacing the traditional draft system. The auction took place at the Expo Centre in Lahore, where eight teams, including new franchises Sialkot Stallions and Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen, completed their squads for PSL 11. The tournament will be played from March 26 to May 3. Teams were allowed to retain only four players, so franchises spent heavily to rebuild their squads, with many players crossing PKR 80 million (approx ₹2.4 crore).

According to media reports, the new franchise Sialkot Stallions signed Steve Smith through a direct signing. The team confirmed the deal on social media, marking Smith’s first appearance in the Pakistan Super League. Reports say he was signed for PKR 140 million (approx ₹4.2 crore), making him the most expensive player in PSL history.

Other top signings also grabbed attention during the auction. Saim Ayub was retained for PKR 126 million (approx ₹3.8 crore), while Naseem Shah was picked for PKR 86.5 million (approx ₹2.6 crore). Faheem Ashraf went for PKR 85 million (approx ₹2.5 crore), and Daryl Mitchell was signed for PKR 80.5 million (approx ₹2.4 crore). The auction has set a new financial benchmark for the league.

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Here is the list of the Top 5 Most Expensive Players of PSL 2026:

1. Steve Smith – PKR 140 million (approx ₹4.2 crore)

Australian star batter and former captain Steve Smith has become the most expensive player in PSL history. According to media reports, the new franchise, Sialkot Stallions, signed him through a direct deal. The team confirmed the signing on social media. This will be Smith’s first appearance in the Pakistan Super League. Reports say he was signed for PKR 140 million (approx ₹4.2 crore). This makes him the costliest player in the league’s history and sets a new record for PSL contracts.

2. Saim Ayub – PKR 126 million (approx ₹3.8 crore)

Pakistan’s young star Saim Ayub became one of the most expensive players in PSL 2026 yesterday. The Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen signed him for a record amount during the auction. The franchise showed strong faith in the talented batter by making a big investment. Yesterday, he was signed for PKR 126 million (approx ₹3.8 crore). This made him one of the highest-paid players this season and one of the biggest deals in PSL history.

3. Naseem Shah – PKR 86.5 million (approx ₹2.6 crore)

Fast bowler Naseem Shah became one of the most expensive players in PSL 2026 yesterday. He was the costliest bowling option in the auction. The Rawalpindi franchise showed strong trust in his pace and match-winning ability. Yesterday, he was signed for PKR 86.5 million (approx ₹2.6 crore). This made him the most expensive bowler of the season and one of the top deals in the auction.

4. Faheem Ashraf – PKR 85 million (approx ₹2.5 crore)

All-rounder Faheem Ashraf also attracted a big bid in the PSL 2026 auction yesterday. He was among the top picks as teams looked for experienced players who can contribute with both bat and ball. The franchise showed confidence in his all-round skills. Islamabad United signed him for PKR 85 million (approx ₹2.5 crore). This deal made him one of the highest-paid all-rounders of the season.

5. Daryl Mitchell – PKR 80.5 million (approx ₹2.4 crore)

New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell also received a strong bid in the PSL 2026 auction yesterday. Rawalpindi signed him to strengthen their middle order and add experience to the squad. The team showed trust in his ability to perform in big matches. He was bought for PKR 80.5 million (approx ₹2.4 crore). This made him one of the top foreign signings of the season.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set to begin a new chapter. For the first time in its history, teams will select players through an auction instead of the usual draft system. The first PSL auction will take place on February 11.

Fans are very excited about this new format. Interest is especially high in Bangladesh, as 50 players from the country have registered for the auction. This comes amid the ongoing boycott drama around the T20 World Cup 2026. Lahore Qalandars have already signed Mustafizur Rahman directly for PKR 6.44 crore.

This season, two new teams from Hyderabad and Sialkot have joined the league. With their addition, the PSL will now have eight teams.

Each team is allowed to retain up to four players. They can keep one player each from the Platinum, Diamond, Gold and Silver categories. The remaining players will be picked during the auction.

There are also clear squad rules. Every team must have at least 16 players and no more than 20 players. Out of these, a minimum of five and a maximum of seven can be overseas players. Each squad must include at least two uncapped Under-23 players. At least one of them must play in the starting eleven in every match.

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PSL 2026 Auction: Date, Time (IST) and Live Streaming Details 

The PSL 2026 auction will begin at 11:30 am local time, which is 12:00 pm IST (Indian Standard Time).

Squad rules are clearly defined. Each team must have at least 16 and not more than 20 players. Out of these, a minimum of five and a maximum of seven can be overseas players. Every squad must include at least two uncapped Under-23 players, and at least one of them must play in the starting XI in every match.

The auction will be streamed live on the official PSL YouTube channel and also on the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) YouTube page.

List of Bangladesh Players in PSL 2026 Auction

(INR values calculated as per the current exchange rate shown above)

Base Price: PKR 2 crore 2 lakh (20,200,000 PKR) – approx ₹65.40 lakh

Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Zakir Hasan

Base Price: PKR 1 crore 10 lakh (11,000,000 PKR) – approx ₹35.61 lakh

Rishad Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Jishan Alam, Litton Das, Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Nahid Rana, Tanvir Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mosaddek Hossain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Ripon Mondol, Mahedi Hasan, Shamim Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Taskin Ahmed, Towhid Hridoy, Yasir Ali

Base Price: PKR 60 lakh (6,000,000 PKR) – approx ₹19.43 lakh

Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, Abu Haider Rony, Afif Hossain, Ahrar Amin, Akbar Ali, Aliss Al Islam, Ariful Islam (legspin), Ariful Islam (offspin), Jaker Ali, Khaled Ahmed, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Nasir Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Naim Sheikh, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mukidul Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Nayeem Hasan, Rakibul Hasan, Rony Talukdar, Saif Hassan, Shohidul Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

The historic auction of the Pakistan Super League 2026 will take place on February 11, as several players will go under the hammer to be part of the new season, which is expected to begin from March 26. However, there have been a few questions about the England players' ability for the entire season, as most of them will remain away from the league despite not being picked in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

The IPL 2026 will clash with the PSL for this edition and is expected to begin on the same day. Harry Brook, the white-ball captain of the England team, will not be part of the IPL as he took a personal break from the league for the last season and has been banned from participating in the new season.

See Also: Watch: Mohammad Waseem smartly upper cuts Jacob Duffy for six in NZ vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026

Adil Rashid, Joe Root, and Jamie Smith have registered for the PSL 2026. They will remain unavailable due to the Number Objection certificate (NOC) clearance. Rashid could have been a vital prospect for several PSL franchises due to his excellent skill with the ball in the middle overs.

Jonny Bairstow withdraws from PSL 2026 auction after named IPL 2026 replacement

Apart from that, the veteran wicket-keeper opening batter of the England side, Johnny Bairstow, has withdrawn from the PSL 2026 auction as he has informed the franchise managements that he has been named as the IPL replacement for any of the franchises, which has yet to be revealed.

On the other hand, England’s Test captain and an experienced pace bowling all-rounder, Ben Stokes, will remain unavailable due to injury, along with Mark Wood, who picked up the injury during the Ashes tour 2025/26 and did not take part in the last four Test matches against Australia down under.

Another pace bowling all-rounder, Chris Woakes, was part of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025 recently, but he won’t be part of the PSL 2026 auction as he has full-season commitments, including the County Championship One Day Cup and the Vitality Blast. This rules out several premier England players from the PSL 2026 season, which doesn’t paint a great picture.

In a major development ahead of the 2026 season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the Multan Sultans franchise has been sold to Walee Tech for a record price of INR 2.45 billion, marking the highest-ever bid in the league’s history. The new owner has also changed the name from Multan to Rawalpindi, which has been a fascinating part of the entire story. 

The auction process, which was held in Lahore, saw the participation of five bidders, with the intense competition for the ownership of one of the PSL’s most popular franchises. The base price for the Multan Sultans was set at INR 1.82 billion, to which the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, formally initiated the bidding process for the franchise.

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“As soon as the PSL ends, we will auction the franchise off, and in the next eight to ten days, we will appoint an acting head to run the franchise.” Naqvi previously expressed at the press conference that the Pakistan board would take over the Sultans during this PSL, which is expected to begin on March 26.

Multan Sultans Sold Ahead of PSL 2026

Multan Sultans Sold for Record Price and Renamed to Rawalpindi Ahead of PSL 2026

The Multan Sultans franchise has been sold for a record 2.45 billion PKR and will now compete as Rawalpindi in PSL 2026. The high-profile Pakistan Super League auction attracted notable figures from the cricketing world, including former PCB chairman Najam Sethi, legendary batter Zaheer Abbas, and Lahore Qalandars owners Sameen Rana and Atif Rana.

Regarded as one of the most successful PSL franchises, the Multan Sultans have always generated strong interest among bidders for ownership rights. The team became available for auction after its former owner, Ali Tareen, declined to renew the 10-year ownership agreement.

Interestingly, the franchise did not retain a single player ahead of the upcoming season. Captain and wicket-keeper opening batter Mohammad Rizwan was released, along with other key players, following a less-than-stellar previous season. This bold strategy reflects the new management’s vision for the Rawalpindi PSL 2026 team.

The sale marks a significant moment in the Pakistan Super League's history, both in terms of franchise valuation and player retention strategies. Fans will be keen to see how the rebranded team performs in the next season.

FAQs

Q: Who bought the Multan Sultans in PSL 2026?

A: The franchise was sold to new owners and renamed Rawalpindi.

Q: How much were the Multan Sultans sold for?

A: The team was sold for a record 2.45 billion PKR.

Q: Did Multan Sultans retain any players for PSL 2026?

A: No, all players, including Mohammad Rizwan, were released.

Q: Why was the Multan Sultans franchise auctioned?

A: Former owner Ali Tareen declined to renew the 10-year ownership.