Naseem Shah and Faheem Ashraf walked away with the biggest pay-cheques as the Pakistan Super League held its first full auction rather than the usual draft. Rawalpindi, the brand-new franchise just up the motorway from Islamabad, paid PKR 86.5 million for Naseem, while Faheem returned to Islamabad United for only a shade less – PKR 85 million.
“It’s a fresh challenge but I’m still close to home, so nothing really changes for me,” Naseem said in a short video released by Rawalpindi. Islamabad’s head coach, Mike Hesson, sounded equally pleased with his lot: “Faheem understands the culture here better than anyone. Bringing him back was a priority.”
Fewer retentions, more reunions
The PCB trimmed permitted retentions from eight to four, and that single decision shaped much of the evening. Former Karachi captain David Warner attracted swift bidding before the Kings re-signed him for PKR 79 million. Lahore Qalandars kept both their headline acts: Fakhar Zaman (PKR 79.5m) and Haris Rauf (PKR 76m). Quetta Gladiators, refusing to forget 2022, brought Rilee Rossouw back for PKR 55m.
Ex-international Bazid Khan summed up the mood on local television: “With only four retentions available, everyone first tried to glue the old core back together, then worried about the shiny new toys.”
International flavour – and a dash of experience
Rawalpindi also splashed out PKR 80.5m on Daryl Mitchell after a spirited duel with Karachi. Islamabad countered by snapping up Mark Chapman for PKR 70m. Among the Australians, Karachi secured leg-spinner Adam Zampa (PKR 45m) and decided 41-year-old Peter Siddle’s Big Bash form was worth a one-year punt at PKR 25m.
The Houston-based Hyderabad Kings had already used a direct signing on Marnus Labuschagne and kept Saim Ayub. At the table they leaned into their cross-border identity, adding Pakistan-born USA pair Hammad Azam and Shayan Jahangir. “It fits our story, simple as that,” franchise co-owner Ali Khan told reporters.
Young locals – a mixed night
Domestic players, as often happens when foreign names dominate the screen, found fewer suitors. One clear exception was Sameer Minhas, part of Pakistan’s Under-19 Asia Cup triumph. Islamabad and Lahore traded bids before United secured him for PKR 19m. Shahnawaz Dahani, hero of previous editions, surprisingly went unsold.
Auction fatigue – eight hours of it
Proceedings started at 2pm and did not wind down until almost 10pm, by which time several coaches were visibly double-checking budget columns rather than applauding picks. “It was intense, but the league needed to try something new,” said former selector and television pundit Sikander Bakht. Few in the room disagreed.
Final squads (alphabetical by franchise)
Hyderabad Houston Kings
Marnus Labuschagne, Saim Ayub, Akif Javed, Maaz Sadaqat, Usman Khan, Mohammad Ali, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Hassan Khan, Shayan Jahangir, Ottniel Baartman, Hammad Azam, Riley Meredith, Sharjeel Khan, Asif Mehmood, Hunain Shah, Rizwan Mehmood, Saad Ali, Tayyab Arif
Islamabad United
Devon Conway, Shadab Khan, Salman Irshad, Andries Gous, Faheem Ashraf, Mehran Mumtaz, Max Bryant, Mark Chapman, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mir Hamza Sajjad, Sameen Gul, Sameer Minhas, Shamar Joseph, Imad Wasim, Richard Gleeson, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Dipendra Singh Airee
Karachi Kings
Moeen Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Saad Baig, David Warner, Azam Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shahid Aziz, Mir Hamza, Adam Zampa, Hamza Sohail, Aqib Ilyas, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Johnson Charles, Muhammad Waseem, Ihsanullah, Rizwanullah
Lahore Qalandars
(Mustafizur Rahman, Rashid Khan and others retained earlier – full squad to be confirmed once paperwork clears; Fakhar and Haris already listed above.)
Quetta Gladiators
Rilee Rossouw, plus retained core of Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz and company. Remaining picks announced late and await league approval.
Rawalpindi
Naseem Shah, Daryl Mitchell and a clutch of budget signings that filled the gaps left by aggressive top-order spending.
What next?
Player availability still depends on overlapping international series, and the PCB will circulate an updated window once ICC schedules firm up. For now, franchises have roughly six weeks to turn auction spreadsheets into training plans. The cheques are record-breaking; the pressure to perform will be just as large.
