Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who played a pivotal role in Lahore Qalandars’ championship-winning campaign in last year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL), has been released by the franchise ahead of the upcoming PSL auction. Rishad claimed 13 wickets in seven matches during the previous season, finishing as Lahore’s leading wicket-taker among spinners. Despite this impressive record, the team opted not to retain him under the new retention rules.
This season marks a historic shift in PSL player selection, as the league will conduct an auction for the first time, replacing the traditional draft system. Previously, franchises could retain up to eight players. Under the revised regulations, teams are allowed to retain only four players across different categories. Yesterday, Lahore Qalandars announced their retention list on social media, retaining only four players: Shahid Afridi (Platinum), Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold), and Mohammad Naeem (Silver). No players were retained in the Emerging category.
| Franchise | Retained Players (Category) |
|---|---|
| Lahore Qalandars | Shahid Afridi (Platinum), Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold), Mohammad Naeem (Silver) |
| Islamabad United | Shadab Khan (Platinum), Salman Irshad (Gold), Andres Gouske (Silver) |
| Karachi Kings | Hasan Ali (Platinum), Khushdil Shah (Gold), Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Saad Beg (Emerging) |
| Quetta Gladiators | Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, Hasan Nawaz, Shamil Hossain |
| Peshawar Zalmi | Babar Azam, Sufiyan Mukim, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza |
| Multan Sultans | No players retained |
| Sialkot Stallions | Signed Australian star Steven Smith |
Rishad Hossain also recently made his debut in Australia’s Big Bash League, representing Hobart Hurricanes. Despite his side failing to reach the final against Sydney Sixers, Rishad impressed with the ball, claiming 15 wickets in 12 matches—making him the Hurricanes’ leading wicket-taker of the season. No other spinner in the tournament managed to surpass his tally.
The upcoming PSL season will see the addition of two new franchises, Hyderabad and Sialkot Stallions, expanding the league from six to eight teams. The auction is scheduled for 11 February, with the new season set to commence on 26 March and the final on 3 May.
Other franchises have also finalised their retention lists. Islamabad United released T20 captain Salman Agha, Nasim Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, and Mohammad Nawaz, while Karachi Kings dropped Shan Masood and Amer Jamal. Quetta Gladiators left out Mohammad Amir, Riley Russo, Mark Chapman, and Khaja Nafees, and Peshawar Zalmi released Pakistan’s batting sensation Saif Ayub.
With new teams, revised retention rules, and high-profile international signings like Steven Smith, the 2026 PSL promises to be a fiercely competitive tournament, offering a fresh challenge for all participating franchises.
