PSL: Sialkot, Hyderabad franchises unveil retentions

ISLAMABAD: The new Pakistan Super League franchises, Sialkot Stallions and Hyderabad, have confirmed their retentions ahead of the upcoming season, with Saim Ayub emerging as the headline name after becoming the most expensive Pakistani player in the league history.

Under the retention rules, both teams were allowed to retain one player in each category.

Hyderabad made the biggest statement by retaining Saim Ayub in the Platinum category for Rs126 million. The left-handed opener’s deal sets a new benchmark for Pakistani players in the league.

They also retained Usman Khan in the Diamond category for Rs46.2 million, Akif Javed in the Gold category for Rs19.6 million and Maaz Sadaqat in the Emerging category for Rs35 million.

Sialkot Stallions, meanwhile, built around experience and balance.

They retained Mohammad Nawaz in the Platinum category for Rs61.6 million, Salman Mirza in the Diamond category for Rs39.2 million, Ahmed Daniyal in the Gold category for Rs22.4 million and Saad Masood in the Emerging category for Rs8.4 million.

Saim’s retention underlines Hyderabad’s intent to build their campaign around a high-impact top-order batter and reflects his rapid rise across formats.

With the new franchises locking in their core, the focus now shifts to how they will shape the rest of their squads at the draft.