historical first time Pakistan Super League (PSL) The auction officially concluded on February 11 in Lahore, marking a major change in the T20 franchise landscape. When Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 The auction in Abu Dhabi brought out a number of world-class stars, with the PSL franchises backed by two new expansion teams wasting no time in securing that elite talent. From famous legends to fast bowlers, the IPL ‘Unsold’ list has effectively become the ‘Superstar’ list for the upcoming Pakistan Super League season.
List of players not sold in IPL 2026 but selected in PSL auction
PSL expands to eight teams (including new ones). Sialkot Stallions and Hyderabad Kingsmen) created a huge void for international quality, which was filled by players who surprisingly found no takers in the IPL. While IPL franchises prioritized domestic Indian untapped talent and players with specific roles, PSL teams resorted to proven international experience. The following table highlights the key players who went unsold in the IPL 2026 auction, but were successfully picked up, often for huge sums, in the PSL 2026 auction and direct signing window:
players ipl 2026 and psl 2026 status
| player | ipl 2026 status | psl 2026 team | Category/Signature Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| steve smith | Not sold (2 crores) | Sialkot Stallions | Marquee (direct signature) |
| darryl mitchell | Not sold (2 crores) | Team Rawalpindi | Auction (PKR 8.05 Crore) |
| devon conway | Not sold (2 crores) | islamabad united | direct signature |
| Michael Bracewell | Not sold (2 crores) | Peshawar Zalmi | Auction (PKR 4.20 Crore) |
| spencer johnson | Not sold (1.5 crores) | Quetta Gladiators | direct signature |
| Riley Meredith | Not sold (1.5 crores) | Hyderabad Kingsman | Auction (PKR 4.20 Crore) |
| ashton turner | not for sale | Sialkot Stallions | Auction (PKR 4.20 Crore) |
| Richard Gleason | Not sold (75 lakhs) | islamabad united | Auction (PKR 1.10 Crore) |
| Dasun Shanaka | Not sold (75 lakhs) | Lahore Qalandars | Auction (PKR 75 lakh) |
Also read: Multan Sultans’ PSL exit: New owners and record sale price unveiled after re-branding in Rawalpindi
‘New era’ of Pakistan Super League (PSL)
The PSL 2026 season has officially rewritten the history books. Not only did it successfully bridge the gap for international stars who missed the IPL, but it also changed the basic structure of the league to compete at the global level. The 2026 season marks the most significant development in the league’s decade-long history, headlined by an expansion from six to eight franchises.
Addition of Sialkot Stallions and Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen (with transition to Multan Sultan Team Rawalpindi) has injected new capital and strategic depth into the competition. For the first time, the league abandoned its traditional draft system in favor of a live player auction, allowing teams to engage in high-stakes bidding wars.
Domestic records broken with this change Naseem Shah PKR became the most expensive local player at Rs 8.65 crore, while new franchises were given a “Direct Overseas Signing” wildcard to secure global icons such as. steve smith (Sialkot) and marnus labuschagne (Hyderabad) even before the bidding started. With more matches, new venues like the historic grounds of Sialkot and Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad, and a nearly doubled salary cap to accommodate world-class talent, PSL 2026 has established itself as the definitive alternative to IPL for the world’s top cricketers.
*Comment*: While 79 players remained unsold in the IPL, 56 of them were Indian players (like Deepak Hooda, Prithvi Shaw and Mahipal Lomror). Due to BCCI rules, Indian players do not participate in PSL. This is why you only see foreign players on your list progressing.
Also read: Shubman Gill’s close friend Agni Chopra reacts to PSL registration rumors