The PSL 2025 auction draft is all set to take place on January 11, 2025, in the scenic city of Gwadar, Balochistan. Ahead of this exciting event, all six teams have finalized their player retentions. Each franchise was allowed to keep up to eight players. While Islamabad United, Lahore Qalandars, and Quetta Gladiators utilized their full retention slots, Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans, and Peshawar Zalmi opted to retain seven players each.

Defending champions Islamabad United made notable decisions by retaining their captain Shadab Khan—who shined as the Player of the Tournament in 2024—and the sensational fast bowler Naseem Shah. Meanwhile, several local players have seen category upgrades in the draft. Key names like Hasan Ali (Karachi Kings), Mohammad Amir (Quetta Gladiators), Saim Ayub (Peshawar Zalmi), and Usama Mir (Multan Sultans) have been elevated to the Platinum category.

Some of the biggest stars in Pakistani cricket remain in the prestigious Platinum category. This includes players like Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah (Islamabad United), Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar Zaman (Lahore Qalandars), Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi), and Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans). In the Diamond category, 16 players are listed, with Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators having the most representation.

Moving to the Gold category, a total of 30 players feature here, with Peshawar Zalmi leading the count. The Silver category includes 16 players, while 12 players make up the Emerging category. Teams have until January 4, 2025, to finalize their retained squads before the draft officially kicks off.

Adding to the excitement, several international cricketing stars have registered for the PSL 2025 draft. The lineup includes big names like Tim Southee, Usman Khawaja, David Willey, Dawid Malan, and Sikandar Raza. Players who missed out on contracts during the IPL auction are also eyeing opportunities in the PSL. This season promises a mix of both seasoned international icons and rising local talents.

The PSL 2025 season will run from April 8 to May 19, with a salary cap of USD 200,000 for the highest-paid players. Fans in India can catch all the action live via the FanCode app and website, while viewers in Pakistan can tune in on platforms like A Sports HD, Tamasha, Tapmad, Snack Video, Begin, and Myco.

Here’s a quick look at the player retentions by each team:

– **Islamabad United (8):** Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah (Platinum), Imad Wasim (mentor), Azam Khan (Diamond), Salman Ali Agha (Brand Ambassador), Haider Ali (Gold), Colin Munro and Rumman Raees (Silver).

– **Multan Sultans (7):** Mohammad Rizwan and Usama Mir (Platinum), David Willey (mentor), Iftikhar Ahmed (Brand Ambassador), Usman Khan (Diamond), Chris Jordan (Gold), Faisal Akram (Silver).

– **Peshawar Zalmi (7):** Babar Azam and Saim Ayub (Platinum), Mohammad Haris (Diamond), Arif Yaqoob, Mehran Mumtaz, Sufyan Moqim (Brand Ambassadors – Silver), Ali Raza (Emerging).

– **Quetta Gladiators (8):** Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir (mentor), Rilee Rossouw (Diamond), Akeal Hosein and Saud Shakeel (Brand Ambassadors – Gold), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (Gold), Khawaja Muhammad Nafay and Usman Tariq (Silver).

– **Karachi Kings (7):** Hasan Ali and James Vince (Diamond), Muhammad Irfan Khan and Shan Masood (Gold), Arafat Minhas (Brand Ambassador), Tim Seifert and Zahid Mehmood (Silver).

– **Lahore Qalandars (8):** Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar Zaman (Platinum), Haris Rauf (Brand Ambassador – Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Diamond), Abdullah Shafique, Jahandad Khan, Zaman Khan (Gold), David Wiese (Silver).

Some players also had successful requests for category changes. These include Rumman Raees (Islamabad United), Hasan Ali, Shan Masood, Zahid Mehmood (Karachi Kings), Abdullah Shafique (Lahore Qalandars), and Faisal Akram (Multan Sultans).

With the draft pick order already announced and a mix of exciting local talent along with international stars ready to make their mark, PSL 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable season for cricket fans worldwide.