Babar Azam Likely to Become Captain of New PSL Team

Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam is reportedly being lined up to lead Kingsmen Hyderabad in the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL 11).

According to reports, Peshawar Zalmi, seem unlikely retain Babar Azam ahead of the league’s upcoming player auction.

With PSL 11 set to introduce its first-ever player auction on February 11, the reshuffle has fueled fresh speculation around where the marquee names will land, and Babar’s name is now being strongly linked with Hyderabad’s inaugural campaign.

According to reports, Kingsmen Hyderabad are emerging as favorites to secure Babar not just as a headline signing, but as the face of the franchise, a captain who can define their identity from day one.

For a new team, landing a proven leader with Babar’s profile would be a two-for-one deal: instant star power on the field and instant relevance off it. PSL teams often build their brand around a leader, and Hyderabad appears keen to start that playbook early.

Hyderabad has already shown it isn’t waiting for auction night drama to start building a squad. The franchise has reportedly been making behind-the-scenes moves and recently secured left-arm wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem through a direct signing, a transfer that also involved Zalmi.

That kind of early activity has only strengthened the belief that Hyderabad is preparing for a major auction push, one that could include going after the biggest local name on the market.

For now, there is no official confirmation from Babar, Zalmi, or Hyderabad. But with the auction date approaching and franchises finalizing their strategies, the next few days are expected to bring clearer signals on whether Babar’s PSL future remains with Zalmi, or whether he is set to become the captain of a brand-new team.