Mustafizur Rahman Returns to Lahore Qalandars in Massive PSL 2026 Deal

The franchise announced the direct signing on Thursday, February 5, 2026, confirming a deal worth 6.44 crore Pakistani Rupees (PKR), which translates to approximately 2.81 crore BDT. This marks a homecoming for "The Fizz," who previously represented the Qalandars in the 2016 and 2018 seasons.

The signing comes as a major career pivot for Mustafizur, who was recently at the center of a geopolitical sporting controversy. Just last month, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release him from a massive 9.2 crore INR contract due to escalating political tensions and security concerns. Following his exclusion from the IPL, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) moved quickly to secure the pacer's participation, and Lahore Qalandars eventually beat other interested franchises to finalize the direct contract before the upcoming player auction.

Lahore Qalandars, the most successful team in PSL history with three titles, expressed their excitement on social media with the message: "Once a Qalandar, always a Qalandar." Owner Sameen Rana highlighted that Mustafizur's experience and world-class variations would be vital as they aim to defend their crown. His addition bolsters a formidable bowling unit that already features Pakistani speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The 11th edition of the PSL is set to be a landmark season, expanding from six to eight teams with the inclusion of Hyderabad and Sialkot Stallions. For the first time, the league is also transitioning from a draft system to a player auction, scheduled for Wednesday, February 11. The tournament itself is slated to begin on March 26, 2026, overlapping with the Indian Premier League for the second consecutive year.