Dhaka, Feb 7, 2026: Bangladesh pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman has secured a return to the Pakistan Super League after Lahore Qalandars confirmed his inclusion for the tournament’s 11th season through a direct overseas signing.
According to the franchise, the defending champions invested PKR 64.4 million to bring back the left-arm pacer, marking his first PSL appearance in several years.
Lahore Qalandars Welcome Familiar Face
The Lahore-based franchise announced the signing on Thursday via its official social media channels, describing Mustafizur as a returning member of the Qalandars family. The Bangladeshi international previously represented the side during the 2016 and 2018 editions of the league.
Under the revised player recruitment framework for PSL 11, teams are allowed one direct signing of an overseas player who did not feature in the previous season. Lahore Qalandars exercised that option to secure Mustafizur ahead of the upcoming auction.
PSL Entry Follows IPL Release
Mustafizur registered for the PSL in early January after being released by Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders. He had been purchased by KKR for INR 9.20 crore at the IPL mini-auction in December.
However, his contract was later terminated following instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Broader diplomatic and sporting developments between Bangladesh and India subsequently influenced his availability for the IPL season.
Previous PSL Experience
Despite being signed by Lahore Qalandars on two earlier occasions, Mustafizur featured in only one full PSL campaign. During the 2018 season, he played five matches, picking up four wickets at an economy rate of 6.43.
Widely regarded for his deceptive cutters and effectiveness in the final overs, the 30-year-old adds experience and variety to Lahore’s pace attack.
Defending Champions Strengthen Squad
Lahore Qalandars enter PSL 11 as one of the most successful franchises in the league’s history, having lifted the trophy three times. In the previous season, Bangladeshi leg-spinner Rishad Hossain also contributed significantly, claiming 13 wickets in seven matches for the side.
Structural Overhaul in PSL 11
The upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League will feature major organizational changes. The long-standing draft system has been replaced by a full auction format, while the player salary cap has been raised to $1.6 million per franchise.
The tournament will also expand from six to eight teams, with Faisalabad returning as a host city alongside Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi.
Tournament Timeline
PSL 11 is scheduled to begin in late March, with the official player auction set to take place next Wednesday.
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