Unsold in IPL, Australia great joins new PSL team for debut campaign in Pakistan Super League

NEW DELHI: Former Australia captain Steve Smith has signed with new Pakistan Super League (PSL) team Sialkot Stallionz for the 2026 season, which will make his first-ever appearance in the PSL. The franchise confirmed the signing on Tuesday, bringing Smith in through a direct signing option allowed under league rules for overseas players who did not play in the previous season.Sialkot Stallionz were recently announced as one of the PSL’s two new teams, and Smith is expected to be a central figure in their debut campaign. With his experience and leadership background, he could also be considered for the captain’s role.Smith, who went unsold during the IPL mini auction in December last year, last played competitive cricket in the Big Bash League with Sydney Sixers, where he made an immediate impact despite joining midway through the season. He scored 299 runs in just six matches at an impressive average of 59.80, including one century and two half-centuries. Smith, playing alongside Babar Azam, finished as the Sixers’ top scorer and helped them reach the final, where they lost to Perth Scorchers.Although Smith went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, his value in franchise cricket remains high. Across 272 T20 matches, he has scored 6,242 runs at an average of 32.68 and a strike rate of 131.38, including five centuries and 30 half-centuries.Sialkot Stallionz have also strengthened their setup off the field by appointing former Australia captain Tim Paine as head coach. Paine brings coaching experience from stints with Adelaide Strikers and Australia A teams.The PSL 2026 season is scheduled to begin on March 26, with Sialkot Stallionz set to make their much-anticipated debut.