Lahore Qalandars Part Ways with Haris Rauf and Fakhar Zaman Ahead of PSL 11 Auction

Defending champions Lahore Qalandars have officially announced their retained players for the Pakistan Super League season 11, confirming that fast bowler Haris Rauf and senior batter Fakhar Zaman will not be part of the retained group ahead of the upcoming auction scheduled for February 11.

The franchise unveiled its retention list through an animated poster shared across its social media platforms, signaling a significant shift in squad planning due to the revised PSL regulations.

Shaheen Afridi Leads Retained Core

Lahore Qalandars have chosen to retain captain Shaheen Shah Afridi in the Platinum category, continuing to place their faith in his leadership and bowling prowess. Middle order batter Abdullah Shafiqe has been retained in the Diamond category, while experienced all-rounder Sikandar Raza secures his place in the Gold category.

Completing the list is Mohammad Naeem, who has been retained in the Silver category. These four selections represent the maximum number of players allowed under the new PSL 11 retention framework.

Haris and Fakhar Released Due to Category Limits

The release of Haris Rauf and Fakhar Zaman comes as a direct result of the updated retention policy, which restricts franchises from keeping only one player from each category. Both Rauf and Zaman were classified in the Platinum category, alongside Shaheen Shah Afridi, forcing the Qalandars to make a difficult decision.

The move brings an end, for now, to the long-standing association of the duo with the franchise, despite their key roles in Lahore’s previous title-winning campaigns.

PSL Moves to Auction-Based System

The Pakistan Super League is set to undergo a major transformation as it shifts from the traditional draft model to a full auction system for PSL 11. Under the new structure, teams can retain only four players in total.

In addition, franchises are no longer permitted to retain up to eight players, and supplementary roles such as mentors, brand ambassadors, and the Right to Match option have been removed. The PCB has taken these steps to simplify squad formation and ensure a more competitive auction process.

PSL 11 Schedule and Host Cities

The 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League will begin on March 26, 2026. Faisalabad will make history by hosting PSL matches for the first time, joining Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi to expand the tournament to five venues.