The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has grown into one of the most exciting cricket tournaments in the world. Every year, fans watch their favorite stars play, but there is another side to the game that grabs attention: the money. In the latest season, the salaries for players have reached new heights. Teams are willing to pay huge amounts to get the best talent on their side. This year, the list of the highest-paid players is full of surprises, big names, and young local talent.
The 2026 season has seen a massive jump in player earnings. From international legends to local Pakistani heroes, the money being spent shows just how competitive the league has become. Let’s take a closer look at the top 10 highest-paid players in the PSL this year, based on the price tags they commanded.
1. Steven Smith
Price: 14 Crore PKR Team: Sialkot Stallionz
At the very top of the list is the Australian star, Steven Smith. His price tag of 14 Crore PKR is truly huge. He has been picked by the Sialkot Stallionz, a team that is looking to make a strong start. Smith is known all over the world for his unique way of batting. He moves around the crease, which makes it very hard for bowlers to set a field for him.
For Sialkot, paying this much money means they expect him to lead the batting lineup. Smith brings years of experience from playing in Australia and other big leagues. He is not just a player who hits the ball hard; he is a thinker. He knows how to build an innings and stay on the pitch for a long time. His presence in the team gives the other batters confidence. When a player like Smith is at the other end, young players learn a lot just by watching him. He is the most expensive player this season, and all eyes will be on him to see if he can justify that massive price.
2. Naseem Shah
Price: 8.65 Crore PKR Team: Rawalpindi
The second highest-paid player is Pakistan’s own young fast bowler, Naseem Shah. He has been signed by Rawalpindi for 8.65 Crore PKR. Naseem is very special because he has genuine pace. He can bowl extremely fast, and he can swing the ball both ways. This makes him a nightmare for opening batters.
Rawalpindi has invested heavily in him because fast bowlers win matches. In T20 cricket, taking wickets early in the game is very important, and that is exactly what Naseem does. He is young, energetic, and has already played many big matches for Pakistan. His ability to bowl fast yorkers at the end of the innings also makes him very valuable. The fans in Rawalpindi love fast bowling, and Naseem is the perfect player to get the crowd cheering. His high price shows that teams value local fast bowlers just as much as international batting stars.
3. Faheem Ashraf
Price: 8.5 Crore PKR Team: Islamabad United
Coming in third is Faheem Ashraf, who was picked up by Islamabad United for 8.5 Crore PKR. Faheem is an all-rounder, which means he can bat and bowl. In modern cricket, players who can do both are worth their weight in gold.
Islamabad United has kept faith in him because he provides balance to the team. He can bowl medium-pace overs in the middle of the innings to keep the runs down. Then, when he comes out to bat, he can hit long sixes. He is often used as a “finisher,” someone who comes in the last few overs to score quick runs. This dual role allows the team to play an extra batsman or bowler depending on the pitch. Faheem has been with Islamabad for a long time, and this high salary shows that the team trusts him completely to deliver in difficult situations.
4. Daryl Mitchell
Price: 8.05 Crore PKR Team: Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi features again on the list with their signing of Daryl Mitchell from New Zealand for 8.05 Crore PKR. Mitchell is a strong, tall batter who hits the ball with immense power. He is known for his ability to clear the boundary ropes with ease, especially against spin bowlers.
What makes Mitchell so valuable is his calmness. He does not panic when the team is in trouble. He can rebuild an innings if early wickets fall, and he can also attack from ball one if needed. He is also a useful bowler who can chip in with a few overs if the main bowlers are being hit for runs. Rawalpindi will look to him to control the middle overs of the game. His price tag reflects his status as one of the best middle-order batters in the world right now.
5. Fakhar Zaman
Price: 7.95 Crore PKR Team: Lahore Qalandars
Fakhar Zaman is a name that every cricket fan in Pakistan knows. He plays for the Lahore Qalandars and earns 7.95 Crore PKR. Fakhar is an opening batter who believes in attacking the bowlers right from the start. He does not wait to get set; he starts hitting boundaries immediately.
His aggressive style puts pressure on the opposition captain. If Fakhar stays at the crease for even five or six overs, the team usually gets a very high score. He has played many match-winning knocks for Lahore in the past. The franchise loves him because he is a local hero and a proven performer. His high salary is a reward for his loyalty and his consistent ability to score runs quickly. Lahore Qalandars rely on him to give them a flying start, and he rarely disappoints.
6. David Warner
Price: 7.9 Crore PKR Team: Karachi Kings
David Warner is one of the most famous cricketers in the world. The Karachi Kings signed him for 7.9 Crore PKR. Warner is an opener like Fakhar, but he does it with a different style. He is short, powerful, and very quick between the wickets.
Warner brings a lot of energy to the field. He is an excellent fielder and often lifts the spirit of the whole team. As a batter, he has played all over the world and knows how to handle every kind of bowler. Karachi Kings will hope that his experience helps them win the trophy. Warner is also a leader. Even though he might not be the captain, his advice to the younger players will be very helpful. His salary shows that Karachi wants big international stars to lead their campaign.
7. Haris Rauf
Price: 7.6 Crore PKR Team: Lahore Qalandars
Another star from Lahore Qalandars makes the list. Haris Rauf, known for his raw speed, is paid 7.6 Crore PKR. Haris has a wonderful story; he was found through a talent hunt and has now become one of the best bowlers in the world.
Haris bowls very fast, often clocking speeds over 145 km/h. He is especially dangerous in the “death overs”—the last few overs of the match. This is when batters try to hit every ball for six, but Haris uses his speed and accurate yorkers to stop them. Lahore Qalandars treat him like family. His passion for the team is visible every time he takes a wicket. The crowd at the stadium goes wild when Haris is bowling. His high pay is well-deserved because finding a bowler who can stop runs at the end of an innings is very hard.
8. Mark Chapman
Price: 7 Crore PKR Team: Islamabad United
Mark Chapman is a cricketer from New Zealand who has found a new home with Islamabad United for 7 Crore PKR. He is a left-handed batter who is very good at playing against spin bowling.
Chapman is known for being smart. He looks at the field placements and finds the gaps to score runs. He is not just about big hitting; he is about smart cricket. He has a very good record playing in Pakistan, which is one of the reasons Islamabad paid so much for him. He fits perfectly into their middle order. When the top order batters get out, Chapman is the man who steadies the ship and ensures the team reaches a good total.
9. Khawaja Nafay
Price: 6.5 Crore PKR Team: Islamabad United
One of the most exciting names on this list is Khawaja Nafay. He is a young Pakistani batter who has been picked up by Islamabad United for 6.5 Crore PKR. It is rare for such a young player to earn so much money, but Nafay has shown great talent.
He became famous through social media videos of his batting and then performed well in domestic matches. He has a very unique style and can hit shots that other players cannot. Islamabad United is known for trusting young players, and they see a future star in him. This big contract puts a bit of pressure on him, but it also shows that the team believes he can win matches for them. He represents the new generation of cricketers who are fearless and ready to take on the world.
10. Moeen Ali
Price: 6.44 Crore PKR Team: Karachi Kings
Rounding out the top 10 is the English all-rounder Moeen Ali. He joins the Karachi Kings for 6.44 Crore PKR. Moeen is a very stylish left-handed batsman and a very clever off-spin bowler.
Moeen is the kind of player who can bat anywhere in the order. He can open the innings or come in late to hit sixes. His bowling is also very useful, especially on the dry pitches in Pakistan where the ball turns. He has a lot of experience playing in leagues around the world and for England. Karachi Kings value his calm head and his versatility. He brings a lot of balance to the squad.
10. Mustafizur Rahman
Price: 6.44 Crore PKR Team: Lahore Qalandars
Tied with Moeen Ali is the Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who plays for Lahore Qalandars. He also earns 6.44 Crore PKR. Mustafizur is famous for his “cutters”—slow balls that look fast but arrive at the batter much slower than expected.
This makes him very hard to hit. On pitches that are a bit slow, he is almost impossible to score against. Lahore Qalandars have a very strong bowling attack with Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and now Mustafizur. “The Fizz,” as he is called, brings something different to the team. While Haris and Shaheen bowl fast, Mustafizur uses his tricks to confuse the batters. It is a great mix of skills for the team.
The salaries in the PSL this year show that the league is stronger than ever. Teams are not afraid to spend big money to get the right combination of players. From Steve Smith’s 14 Crore to the young energy of Khawaja Nafay, every player on this list has a specific role to play. The mix of foreign stars and local talent is what makes the PSL so special. Now, the players have to step onto the field and show that they are worth every rupee.
The post PSL 2026: Top 10 Expensive Players in Pakistan Super League appeared first on Sportzcraazy.
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