Sports Bulletin

Lahore (Sports Report): The first-ever HBL PSL Player Auction is set to take place at the Expo Centre in Lahore with all eight franchises vying to fill their team rosters with exciting local and foreign players.In the registration window, more than 800 players registered their interest for the historic HBL PSL Player Auction. The following players have been shortlisted for the bidding rounds in the Auction after receiving feedback and interest of the all eight franchises.The remaining registered players will be presented for Auction only if any of the franchises show their interest on the spot.The list of the players to be presented in the Player Auction is given below:Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Asif Afridi, Hussain Talat, Danish Aziz, Mohammad Zeeshan, Mohammad Junaid, Shakib Al Hasan, Daniel Sams, Usama Mir, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Jahandad Khan, Ali Imran, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tom Curran, Michael Bracewell, David Willey, Jimmy Neesham, Shahid Aziz, Curtis Campher, David Warner, Muhammad Riazullah, Rilee Rossouw, Colin Munro, Saud Shakeel, Kyle Mayers, Kamran Ghulam, Omair Bin Yousuf, Jahanzaib Sultan, George Munsey, Fakhar Zaman, Daryl Mitchell, Rassie van der Dussen, Tayyab Tahir, Humayun Altaf, Mohammad Faiq, Mohammad Zulkifal, Muhammad Amir Barki, Max Bryant, Mark Chapman, James Vince, Shan Masood, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Abdullah Fazal, Muhammad Shahzad, Ashton Turner, Avishka Fernando, Haris Rauf, Chris Jordan, Naseem Shah, Dilshan Madushanka, Ihsanullah, Mohaammad Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Rumman Raees, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammad Amir, Tymal Mills, Nahid Rana, Khurram Shahzad, Fawad Ali, Ubaid Shah, Riley Meredith, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mir Hamza, Shahnawaz Dahani, Josh Little, Hunain Shah, Mohammad Azab, Rishad Hossain, Gudakesh Motie, Faisal Akram, Zahid Mehmood, Peter Hatzoglu, Ali Majid, Mirza Mamoon Imtiaz, Mehran Mumtaz, Momin Qamar, Arif Yaqoob, Sahibzada Farhan, Azam Khan, Johnson Charles, Ben McDermott, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dinesh Chandimal, Muhammad Akhlaq, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Litton Kumer Das, Haseebullah, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori, Dasun Shanaka, Liam Dawson, Will Sutherland, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Reeza Hendricks, Evin Lewis, Brandon King, Adam Zampa, Moises Henriques, Charith Asalanka, Dian Forrester, Evan Jones, Odean Smith, Jake Weatherald, Will Smeed, Usman Khawaja, Dawid Malan, Jason Roy, Peter Siddle, Reece Topley, Richard Gleeson, Saqib Mahmood, Jayden Seales, Matthew Forde, Asitha Fernando, Gideon Peters, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tanveer Sangha, Imran Tahir, Mitchell Hay, Josh Philippe, Tom Latham, Rubin HermannAccelerated roundAamer Yamin, Abu Zar, Abubakar, Adil Naz, Afaq Afridi, Afnan Khan, Ali Imran, Ali Usman, Amad Butt, Andre Fletcher, Aqib Ilyas, Arshad Iqbal, Asif Mehmood, Bas De Leede, Benny Howell, Bevon Jacobs, Billy Stanlake, Binura Fernando, Bismillah Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Brandon McMullen, Brett Hampton, Chad Bowes, Chris Green, D’Arcy Short, Delano Potgieter, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dwaien Pretorius, Fabian Allen, Geroeg Garton, Hammad Azam, Hamza Nazar, Mir Hamza Sajjad, Harry Tector, Hasan Mahmud, Hassan Khan, Hilton Cartwright, Imran Butt, Imran Shah, Jack Wildermuth, Jason Smith, Jeffret Vandersey, Joel Davies, Jordan Hermann, Junaid Siddique, Kaleem Sana, Keemo Paul, Khalid Usman, Khawaja Arham, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lachlan Shaw, Laurie Evans, Liam Scott, Lizaad Williams, Lloyd Pope, Locan Tucker, Mark Adair, Mark Steketee, Max Chu, Mirza Tahir Baig, Mohammad Adil, Mohammad Akram, Mohammad Amir Khan, Mohammad Faizan, Mohammad Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Huzaifa, Mohammad Mohsin, Mohammad Rameez Jnr, Mohammad Sarwar Afridi, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Mohsin Riaz, Mubasir Khan, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Imran, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Musa Khan, Nathan Sowter, Niaz Khan, Nisar Ahmed, Noman Ali, Obed McCoy, Ottneil Baartman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Paul Stirling, Paul Van Meekeren, Qasim Akram, Quentin Sampson, Rehan Afridi, Richard Ngarava, Rizwan Mehmood, Rizwanullah, Rohail Nazir, Saad Ali, Saad Khan, Sajid Khan, Sameen Gul, Samuel Harper, Saqib Khan, Shah Raza Naqvi, Shamar Joseph, Shamarh Brooks, Shamim Hossain, Sharjeel Khan, Sharoon Siraj, Shayan Jahangir, Shehzad Gul, Sheldon Cottrell, Shoriful Islam, Sirajuddin, Taimur Khan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Tawhid Hridoy, Tom Moores, Tony De Zorzi, Umar Siddiq, Viajayakanth Viyaskantha, Wasim Akram, Will Young, Zafar Gohar, Zain Abbas, Jalat Khan, Dipendra Singh Airee, Abdul Subhan, Ahmad Hassan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Shabbir, Azan Awais, Fahad Amin, Faham-ul-Haq, Farhan Yousuf, Haroon Arshad, Huzaifa Ahsan, Israr Hussain, Mohammad Farooq, Mohammad Ismail, Mohammad Salman, Mohaammad Tayyab Arif, Razaullah, Sameer Minhas, Shahzaib Khan, Umar Zaib, Naqeebullah, Khan Zeb, Rewayat Khan, Ali Razzaq, Saqlain Nawaz, Saeed Ali, Ahmed Khan, Mohammad Ammar, Sameer Saqib, Yahya Bin Abdul Rehman, Obaid Shahid, Abbas Ali, Abdul Faseeh, Raja Hamza Waheed, Mohammad Ilyas Khan, Wasim Akram Jnr, Maaz Khan and Syed Tayyab Abbas.

Islamabad (Faisal): Lahore Qalandars, one of the most successful franchises in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), is proud to announce the signing of Mustafizur Rahman as a direct signing for PSL 11.The Bangladeshi star, originally picked by the Qalandars in 2016 and 2018, is now set to don the Qalandars' colors once more. The signing was agreed at PKR 6.44 crore.Once a Qalandar, always a Qalandar. Mustafizur is not just a player; he’s a brother, a key part of our family who never left,” said Sameen Rana, Owner, Lahore Qalandars. “We are thrilled to welcome him back to our dressing room. His talent, experience, and dedication will be invaluable as we aim to defend our title and make a statement in PSL 11.”Earlier, Qalandars had retained captain Shaheen Afridi, key batter Abdullah Shafique, dynamic all-rounder Sikandar Raza, and skilled youngster Mohammad Naeem. This strategic move strengthens the team’s core ahead of the big auction and sets the stage for a strong campaign.With this signings, Lahore Qalandars aim to continue their legacy of excellence in PSL 11, determined to defend their title and give fans another season of high-quality cricket and unforgettable moments.

Lahore (Sports News): Six franchises including defending champions Lahore Qalandars have unveiled their retentions for the HBL PSL season 11, while Multan Sultans have not retained any players from their previous squad, the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed on Wednesday.All franchises except Islamabad United have retained four players each. United have kept hold of three players. The two new franchises Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad are set to announce their retentions by Saturday, 7 February.The only captain to win HBL PSL three times, Shaheen Shah Afridi has been retained in Platinum category, while Abdullah Shafique has been retained in Diamond category by Lahore Qalandars.Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza will also stay with Qalandars in Gold category. Emerging player of the HBL PSL X Mohammad Naeem has been retained by the reigning champions in Silver category.Quetta Gladiators have retained mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed in Platinum category, Usman Tariq in Diamond, HBL PSL X player of the tournament Hasan Nawaz in Gold and left-handed batter Shamyl Hussain in emerging category.Babar Azam, the leading run-getter of the HBL PSL history and one of the only two players to feature in 100 HBL PSL games, has been retained by 2017 champions Peshawar Zalmi. They have also kept left-arm wrist-spinner Sufyan Moqim in Diamond, Abdul Samad in Gold and pacer Ali Raza in Emerging category.Shadab Khan’s nine-year long journey with Islamabad United will reach the decade-mark as he has been retained by the three-time HBL PSL champions in Platinum category.Fast bowler Salman Irshad in Gold and USA wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous in Silver categories are the other two retentions by Islamabad United.Hasan Ali – the leading wicket-taker in HBL PSL history – will continue to star for Karachi Kings as he has been retained in Platinum category. Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah and Saad Baig have been retained in Diamond, Gold and Emerging, respectively by the 2020 champions.Full retentions:Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Platinum), Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold) and Mohammad Naeem (Silver)Quetta Gladiators: Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hasan Nawaz (Gold) and Shamyl Hussain (Emerging)Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (Platinum), Salman Irshad (Gold) and Andries Gous (Silver)Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (platinum), Sufyan Moqim (Diamond), Abdul Samad (Gold) and Ali Raza (Emerging)Karachi Kings: Hasan Ali (platinum), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold) and Saad Baig (Emerging)Multan Sultans: Zero retentions

Lahore (Sports News): Lahore Qalandars have announced the retention of four key players for the upcoming 11th edition of the tournament, ahead of the PSL auction. Lahore Qalandars have retained captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, premier batter Abdullah Shafique, dynamic all-rounder Sikandar Raza, and emerging talent Mohammad Naeem. The decision ensures continuity and reinforces the core of the squad as the franchise prepares for the next phase of team building. “We are delighted to retain these players, but this has been the hardest decision we have faced as a franchise,” said Sameen Rana, owner of Lahore Qalandars. “Some of the players we have had to leave out have been our core for years. They helped shape the identity of Lahore Qalandars and were central to our journey and success. Unfortunately, the rules meant we could only pick four. It came down to that, and these are the four we had to choose, even though it was an extremely painful call.” The retained players are expected to play a central role in the team’s plans and on-field performances as Lahore Qalandars aim to build a competitive squad at the auction. With a strong core in place, the defending champions are gearing up to make a powerful statement in PSL 11 as they set their sights on continuing their winning legacy.

Lahore (Sports News): The HBL Pakistan Super League has announced a series of landmark developments ahead of its 11th edition, reinforcing the League’s continued growth, competitiveness, and commitment to innovation.In a historic move after a decade of success, the HBL Pakistan Super League (HBL PSL 11) will transition to a Player Auction Model, replacing the traditional Player Draft system. This strategic shift is aimed at enhancing competitive balance, increasing transparency, and providing players’ greater earning opportunities.Under the revised player acquisition framework:• Each franchise may retain a maximum of four players, limited to one player per category. Previously, every franchise was allowed to retain 8 players from their squad including a Mentor, a Brand Ambassador and a Right to Match Option to retain a 9th player in the Player Draft.• The rules pertaining to Mentors, Brand Ambassadors and RTM have been abolished for HBL PSL 11.• Newly inducted teams will be allowed to select and retain four players from the available player pool before the Player Auction.• Each franchise will also be allowed one direct signing of a foreign player who did not feature in HBL PSL X, enabling teams to strategically strengthen their squads with fresh international talent.Further strengthening the League’s commercial and competitive outlook, the player salary purse has been increased to USD 1.6 million per franchise, underscoring HBL PSL’s commitment to rewarding player performance and attracting elite domestic and international cricketers.These progressive measures reflect the League’s strategic trajectory and evolution, while remaining firmly rooted in its mission to promote cricketing excellence, fan engagement, and attaining unprecedented heights.HBL PSL 11 will officially commence on 26 March 2026. Faisalabad has been added an additional venue for hosting the League’s matches, marking the city’s return to spotlight and further expanding the League’s national footprint.Additional details regarding the Player Auction process, schedule, and operational guidelines will be shared in due course.

 Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the HBL PSL Teams Auction 2026 for induction of two new Franchises, marking a significant milestone in the continued growth and evolution of the league. As a result of the auction process, Team 7 has been awarded to Hyderabad, while Team 8 will represent Sialkot, officially expanding the HBL PSL to eight teams.The auction attracted strong interest from prospective investors, with nine bidders participating in the Live Auction at Jinnah Convention Centre, Islamabad, reflecting the growing commercial strength, global appeal, and long-term sustainability of the HBL PSL. The induction of Hyderabad & Sialkot Teams further strengthens the league’s national footprint and underscores PCB’s commitment to inclusivity, regional representation, and fan engagement across Pakistan.In the first round of the Auction, the base price for the seventh team was set at PKR 110 crore and after a fierce round of bidding US-based FKS Group led by Mr Fawad Sarwar made the winning bid worth PKR 1,750,000,000 and chose Hyderabad out of the six available city names.The second round saw the base price of the eighth team set to PKR 170 crore, which led to deep interest from the investors as there were two calls for strategic timeout. In the end OZ Group led by Mr Hamza Majeed snapped the eighth team for PKR 1,850,000,000 and chose Sialkot as their team.Congratulating the successful bidders, PCB Chairman, Mr. Mohsin Naqvi, welcomed the new franchise owners into the HBL PSL family:“The expansion of the HBL Pakistan Super League with the addition of Hyderabad and Sialkot is a landmark moment for Pakistan cricket. We warmly welcome the new franchise owners and look forward to their contribution in strengthening the league, enhancing competition, and further elevating the HBL PSL’s global stature.”Chief Executive Officer of the HBL PSL, Mr. Salman Naseer, also expressed his confidence in the expansion:“The successful live and competitive auction reflects the immense trust investors have in the HBL PSL brand. Hyderabad and Sialkot bring with them rich sporting heritage and passionate fan bases. We are keenly looking forward to working closely with the new owners to deliver an even more compelling and competitive HBL PSL experience for fans worldwide. The League is thriving and we can't wait for the next few weeks to unfold as they promise to be even more exciting.”The owner of the Hyderabad franchise, Mr. Fawad Sarwar expressed their appreciation and enthusiasm:“We are delighted to have successfully secured the Hyderabad franchise in the HBL Pakistan Super League. This is an exciting new chapter for FKS Group, and we look forward to bringing our philosophy of professional management, innovation, and excellence of execution to the HBL PSL. The league presents both tremendous opportunity and meaningful challenges, and we are fully committed to building a franchise that represents Hyderabad with pride and contributes positively to the growth of Pakistan cricket across the world.Similarly, the owner of the Sialkot franchise, Mr. Hamza Majeed shared his excitement at joining the league:“"It is a tremendous honour to acquire a franchise in the HBL Pakistan Super League, and we are delighted to bring the league to Sialkot, a city that has contributed immensely to Pakistan’s sporting identity. It is both a privilege and a huge responsibility to become the league's eighth team as we begin our journey in HBL PSL 11 with pride and ambition."Sialkot has a rich legacy of cricket and sporting excellence, from producing world-class sports equipment to achieving notable success in domestic cricket, including T20 titles. This team is for the people of Sialkot and their energy, pride and love for the game will be our greatest strength. We are honoured to represent this historic city on the HBL PSL stage and are committed to building a franchise that reflects its winning spirit. We also look forward to contributing to the continued success of the league in close coordination with HBL PSL management and the seven other teams."With the addition of Hyderabad & Sialkot, the HBL PSL enters a new era of expansion, competitiveness, and opportunity. The PCB and HBL PSL Management will work closely with the new franchises to ensure seamless integration ahead of upcoming HBL PSL 11 and beyond.

Lahore (Sports News): OZ Group, led by Chairman Hamza Majeed Chaudhary, has achieved a significant milestone after being officially shortlisted among the qualified bidders for the expansion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Pakistan’s flagship professional T20 cricket competition.The PCB received 12 bids from investors based in Pakistan and overseas, underscoring the PSL’s growing international appeal and commercial credibility. Following detailed scrutiny, 10 bidders were declared technically eligible to advance to the next stage the franchise auction, scheduled to take place on January 8, 2026, at the Jinnah Convention Centre, Islamabad.The PSL expansion will see the league grow from six to eight teams beginning with PSL Season 11, scheduled from March 26 to May 3, 2026. This marks a pivotal moment in the league’s evolution, aimed at enhancing regional representation, expanding commercial opportunities, and strengthening the PSL’s global sporting footprint.Hamza Majeed Chaudhary said: “Being shortlisted by the PCB is a strong endorsement of OZ Group’s professional standards, financial credibility, and long-term vision. Our objective is to build a competitive and sustainable PSL franchise that delivers on-field success while also contributing to grassroots development, fan engagement, and the broader growth of cricket in Pakistan.”“Cricket has always been a unifying force for Pakistan. Through the PSL platform, we aim to nurture emerging talent, engage local communities, and contribute to the sport’s long-term sustainability,” Chaudhary added.

Islamabad (Sports News): Chairman PCB Syed Mohsin Naqvi announced the official window for the 11th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (HBL PSL). The HBL PSL 11 is scheduled to take place from 26 March to 3 May, 2026.The confirmation of the HBL PSL 11 window marks a significant milestone as preparations intensify for the league’s next phase of expansion. The Pakistan Cricket Board will also host the New Teams Auction on 8 January, 2026 at the Islamabad Convention Centre, where the rights for two new HBL PSL franchises will be offered. The auction will be broadcasted, providing transparency and global visibility to prospective investors and cricket fans worldwide.The HBL PSL continues to attract strong international interest, reflecting the league’s growing commercial strength, expanding global footprint and long-term growth potential. Recent engagements with global stakeholders have underlined confidence in the league’s business model and its positioning among the world’s leading T20 competitions.Recognised for its high-quality cricket, competitive balance and role in developing elite international talent, the HBL PSL has firmly established itself as a premier global T20 league.

Lahore (Sports News): The Pakistan Super League is pleased to announce that the auction for the two new HBL PSL franchise teams will take place on 6 January, 2026.This marks a significant milestone in the league’s continued expansion and its commitment to expanding its footprint across Pakistan. The addition of two new teams will also create fresh commercial, sporting and fan engagement opportunities.The pool of cities shortlisted for potential franchise allocation includes:1.           Faisalabad2.          Rawalpindi3.           Hyderabad4.          Sialkot5.           Muzaffarabad6.          GilgitThe successful bidders at the auction will have the right to choose from amongst these city/team names. Only technically qualified bidders will be invited to the Auction.The HBL PSL, now recognised as one of the premier T20 leagues globally, continues to grow in stature, commercial strength and fan following. The PCB and PSL Management look forward to welcoming new stakeholders to the HBL PSL ecosystem and to further elevating the league’s impact on Pakistan cricket.

Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: As part of the ongoing trophy tour celebrating their recent Pakistan Super League (PSL) title win, Lahore Qalandars owner Atif Rana visited the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and met with Chargé d'Affaires, Natalie A. Baker.The visit served as a goodwill gesture, bringing together representatives of Lahore Qalandars and members of the U.S. Embassy’s cricket team and fan community. During the meeting, Mr. Rana presented a signed Lahore Qalandars jersey to Baker as a token of appreciation. The two sides shared their mutual passion for cricket and discussed the sport’s growing influence across cultures and borders.Baker had attended two Qalandars matches this season, including the thrilling final and has been enthusiastic about team’s energy, resilience, and eventual become a title triumphant. “Watching cricket live has been such an exciting experience,” said Ms Baker “I was thrilled to see such a huge fan base and such a crowd at Gaddafi Stadium the other night. As an American, I grew up around baseball, and it’s fascinating to see the parallels and passion that cricket inspires. With both sports now part of the Olympics, I look forward to seeing them spark even greater global connection. I want to sincerely thank the Lahore Qalandars for welcoming me and making me feel like part of their family.”Rana expressed gratitude for the embassy’s engagement with cricket and extended appreciation to Ms. Baker for her support. “I’m truly delighted to see cricket sparking conversations at the U.S. Embassy and to witness the enthusiasm of American friends toward this beautiful game,” he said. “We’re especially thankful to Baker for attending our matches. She will forever be a part of the Qalandars family—as we say, once a Qalandar, always a Qalandar.”Fresh off their PSL title victory, Lahore Qalandars continue to use the trophy tour to connect with fans and promote cricket development at home and abroad.Lahore Qalandars have emerged as one of the most successful franchises in PSL history, winning three titles in four last years. They also hold the distinction of being the only team to win back-to-back championships, achieving this rare feat in 2022 and 2023.