Adnan Farooq 
PSL 2026 feels different. This is the first season with eight teams, not six, and the business side has moved with the cricket side. Hyderabad and Sialkot were added through PCB’s franchise process, while the old Multan slot moved to new ownership before the season build-up.
The tournament window is March 26 to May 3, so every squad call now sits in a tighter, more global spotlight. Faf du Plessis choosing PSL over the IPL auction added extra buzz.
New Teams, Squads, Player Fees, And Top Buys
PCB’s “new era” reforms replaced the draft with PSL’s first-ever auction. Franchises got a bigger salary purse of USD 1.6 million, plus one local and one foreign direct signing option. Base prices also widened, from PKR 60 lakh to PKR 4.2 crore, which pushed bidding intensity up early. Core names were retained across teams: Shaheen for Lahore, Babar for Peshawar, Shadab for Islamabad, and Hasan Ali for Karachi. Rawalpindi, Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen, and Sialkot Stallionz completed the expanded lineup.
Auction day then delivered headline numbers: Rawalpindi landed Naseem Shah for PKR 86.5 million, Islamabad took Faheem Ashraf for PKR 85 million, and Rawalpindi also secured Daryl Mitchell for PKR 80.5 million. Karachi’s David Warner deal added more buzz, while direct-signing money still sat above many auction wins, including Steve Smith at PKR 140 million and Saim Ayub at PKR 126 million.
Where To Track Official Updates Fast
You can follow the league’s official updates on X via @thePSLt20 auction post and auction wrap.
FAQs
1) Is PSL 2026 officially expanded to eight teams?
Yes, PSL 2026 has eight teams after Hyderabad and Sialkot officially joined the tournament lineup.
2) Who was the highest auction buy in PSL 2026?
The biggest bid was Naseem Shah to Rawalpindi for PKR 86.5 million on auction day.
3) What player fee range did teams use this season?
Player fee ranges widened, with base prices from PKR 60 lakh to PKR 4.2 crore.
4) Were direct signings more expensive than auction buys?
Top earners included Steve Smith and Saim Ayub through direct signing and retention contracts pre-auction.
5) Where should fans check verified PSL updates daily?
Use official PSL X updates plus PCB releases and reliable squad trackers for verified news.
