Record Bids Light Up PSL’s First-Ever Auction
News Desk
Lahore: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) ushered in a landmark chapter in its history on Wednesday as the league successfully conducted its first-ever player auction for the 11th edition at the Expo Center, Lahore.
The transformation also includes the addition of two new franchises, expanding the competition and signaling a bold new direction for Pakistan’s premier T20 tournament.
The auction witnessed intense bidding battles, with several marquee players commanding record-breaking prices. Pakistani pace spearhead Naseem Shah emerged as the most expensive local signing, fetching a massive PKR 86.5 million. All-rounder Faheem Ashraf was secured for PKR 80.5 million, while New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell attracted PKR 80.05 million.
However, the biggest headline of the evening belonged to Australian star Steve Smith, who was snapped up by Sialkot Stallionz for a staggering PKR 140 million — the highest bid of the auction.
With squads now finalized, franchises appear strategically balanced with a blend of retained core players, direct signings and fresh auction picks.
Hyderabad Houston Kings
Hyderabad Houston Kings strengthened their lineup through a mix of overseas firepower and domestic talent.
Direct Signing: Zarnus Labuschagne (5.88 crore)
Retained:
- Saim Ayub (12.6 crore)
- Akif Javed (1.96 crore)
- Maaz Sadaqat
- Usman Khan (4.62 crore)
Bought: Mohammad Ali (2.15 crore), Kusal Perera (3.1 crore), Muhammad Irfan Khan (2.9 crore), Hassan Khan (1.85 crore), Shayan Jahangir (60 lacs), Ottniel Baartman (1.1 crore), Hammad Azam (60 lacs), Riley Meredith (4.2 crore), Sharjeel Khan (60 lacs), Asif Mehmood (60 lacs), Hunain Shah (60 lacs), Rizwan Mehmood (60 lacs), Saad Ali (60 lacs), Tayyab Arif (60 lacs).
Islamabad United
Islamabad United retained their core leadership while adding depth across departments.
Direct Signing:
- Devon Conway (6.3 crore)
- Retained:
- Shadab Khan (7 crore)
- Salman Irshad (1.2 crore)
- Andries Gous (1.4 crore)
Bought: Faheem Ashraf (8.5 crore), Mehran Mumtaz (1.2 crore), Max Bryant (1.9 crore), Mark Chapman (7 crore), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (4.1 crore), Mir Hamza Sajjad (70 lacs), Sameen Gul (60 lacs), Sameer Minhas (1.9 crore), Shamar Joseph (1.1 crore), Imad Wasim (2.2 crore), Richard Gleeson (1.2 crore), Haider Ali (1.5 crore), Mohammad Hasnain (77.5 lacs), Dipendra Singh Airee (60 lacs).
Karachi Kings
Karachi Kings blended experience with explosive batting options.
Direct Signing:
- Moeen Ali (6.44 crore)
- Retained:
- Hasan Ali (4.76 crore)
- Mohammad Abbas Afridi (3.08 crore)
- Khushdil Shah (3.36 crore)
- Saad Baig (60 lacs)
Bought: David Warner (7.9 crore), Azam Khan (3.25 crore), Salman Ali Agha (5.85 crore), Shahid Aziz (92.5 lacs), Mir Hamza (2.4 crore), Adam Zampa (4.5 crore), Hamza Sohail (60 lacs), Aqib Ilyas (60 lacs), Khuzaima Bin Tanveer (60 lacs), Johnson Charles (2 crore), Muhammad Waseem (1.1 crore), Ihsanullah (1.05 crore), Rizwanullah (60 lacs).
Lahore Qalandars
The Qalandars retained their pace core and reinforced their batting arsenal.
Direct Signing:
Mustafizur Rahman (6.44 crore)
Retained:
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (7 crore)
- Abdullah Shafique (2.2 crore)
- Sikandar Raza (2.8 crore)
- Mohammad Naeem (70 lacs)
Bought: Haris Rauf (7.6 crore), Usama Mir (3.5 crore), Fakhar Zaman (7.95 crore), Ubaid Shah (2.7 crore), Mohammad Farooq (60 lacs), Dasun Shanaka (75 lacs), Parvez Hussain Emon (60 lacs), Asif Ali (60 lacs), Hussain Talat (77.5 lacs), Tayyab Tahir (60 lacs), Gudakesh Motie (1.1 crore).
Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi made headlines with high-profile auction buys.
Direct Signing:
None
Retained:
- Mohammad Rizwan (5.6 crore)
- Sam Billings (3.08 crore)
- Zaman Khan (1.12 crore)
- Yasir Khan (60 lacs)
Bought:Naseem Shah (8.65 crore), Rishad Hossain (3 crore), Daryl Mitchell (8.05 crore), Mohammad Amir (5.4 crore), Abdullah Fazal (67.5 lacs), Amad Butt (80 lacs), Dian Forrestor (60 lacs), Laurie Evans (1.1 crore), Asif Afridi (2.4 crore), Kamran Ghulam (65 lacs), Fawad Ali (60 lacs), Mohammad Amir Khan (60 lacs), Shahzaib Khan (60 lacs).
Peshawar Zalmi
Zalmi retained Babar Azam while adding international match-winners.
Direct Signing:
Aaron Hardie (6.3 crore)
Retained:
- Babar Azam (7 crore)
- Sufyan Moqim (4.48 crore)
- Abdul Samad (2.8 crore)
- Ali Raza (1.96 crore)
Bought: Aamir Jamal (1.9 crore), Khuram Shahzad (2.7 crore), Mohammad Haris (2.2 crore), Khalid Usman (60 lacs), Abdul Subhan (62.5 lacs), James Vince (3 crore), Michael Bracewell (4.2 crore), Kusal Mendis (4.2 crore), Iftikhar Ahmed (1.8 crore), Nahid Rana (60 lacs), Mirza Tahir Baig (60 lacs), Kashif Ali (60 lacs).
Quetta Gladiators
Quetta combined youth and international experience.
Direct Signing:
Spencer Johnson (5.6 crore)
Retained:
- Abrar Ahmed (7 crore)
- Usman Tariq (5.6 crore)
- Hasan Nawaz (3.92 crore)
- Shamyl Hussain (84 lacs)
Bought: Rilee Rossouw (5.55 crore), Faisal Akram (1.25 crore), Arafat Minhas (1.1 crore), Jahandad Khan (2.5 crore), Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (6.5 crore), Wasim Akram Jnr (77.5 lacs), Khan Zaib (60 lacs), Bismillah Khan (60 lacs), Saqib Khan (60 lacs), Brett Hampton (60 lacs), Sam Harper (60 lacs), Bevon Jacobs (60 lacs), Saud Shakeel (65 lacs), Ben McDermott (1.1 crore), Tom Curran (4.2 crore).
Sialkot Stallionz
The newly added Sialkot Stallionz made the boldest statement of the auction.
Direct Signing:
Steve Smith (14 crore)
Retained:
- Mohammad Nawaz (6.16 crore)
- Mohammad Salman Mirza (3.92 crore)
- Ahmed Daniyal (2.24 crore)
- Saad Masood (84 lacs)
Bought: Jahanzaib Sultan (60 lacs), Sahibzada Farhan (5.70 crore), Ashton Turner (4.2 crore), Peter Siddle (2.5 crore), Tabraiz Shamsi (2.2 crore), Lachlan Shaw (60 lacs), Delano Potgieter (60 lacs), Josh Philippe (2.3 crore), Shan Masood (65 lacs), Momin Qamar (1.075 crore), Muhammad Awais Zafar (60 lacs).
