Arshdeep Singh needs more help! 5 pacers PBKS can target during IPL 2026 mini-auction

Punjab Kings during IPL 2025 - (Source: AFP)

The IPL 2026 mini-auction is less than a week away, with the UAE set to host the mega-event on December 16. A total of 359 players are set to go under the hammer, with teams keeping a keen eye on players required to fill the voids in their squad.

This article will focus on the Punjab Kings, who ended up as the runners-up in IPL 2025. The Kings have a great squad, but face an issue with their pace attack. PBKS have Arshdeep Singh, but he lacks support from the other end.

Thus, the Kings will certainly target some pacers in the auction as they have 11.50 crores in the purse. Therefore, this article will shed light on five pacers PBKS can target during the IPL 2026 mini-auction. 

1. Jacob Duffy

The 31-year-old has never featured in the cash-studded league, but is doing exceptionally well in the shortest format of the game. He has registered at a base price of 2 crores. 

Notably, Duffy is the leading taker in 2025 with 35 wickets in 20 innings among full-member nations. Thus, franchises will be interested in bringing in Duffy and RCB too should target the Kiwi as he is likely to be a bargain buy and won't even hurt RCB's purse value.

Let's look at detailed stats of Jacob Duffy's year in numbers.

2. Matheesha Pathirana

Matheesha Pathirana is on top of the list for several franchises. The right-arm seamer was released by CSK because he failed to justify his price tag. However, the Men in Yellow, themselves will go after the 22-year-old during the mini-auction. 

The reason why teams will target Matheesha Pathirana is because of his ability to pick up wickets at the death. The right-arm seamer can bowl yorkers and vary his pace to strike at the crucial moment and snatch a win out of the jaws of defeat.

Pathirana picked up 13 wickets in the previous season, though his economy rate of 10.14 hurt both his impact and CSK’s campaign. However, he has seen a dip in form recently. But, nonetheless, 

let's look at his performance in recent tournaments.

3. Mustafizur Rahman

Mustafizur Rahman needs no introduction as he has been Bangladesh's finest seamer in the past decade. The left-arm seamer has the special ability to bowl anywhere in the match. He can start the spell, bowl in the middle-overs and also showcase his brilliance at the death. 

Rahman featured for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025 as a replacement and there are chances that the Capitals might again go after the Bangladesh talent for IPL 2026. Nonetheless, Punjab can target Rahman, then they will have two left-arm seamers to boost their seam attack.

Let's look at Rahman's IPL stats over the years.

4. Auqib Nabi

The most talked about uncapped star at the moment is Auqib Nabi. The right-arm seamer from Jammu and Kashmir is making noise for his brilliant performance in domestic cricket and uplifting the standard of J&K cricket. 

Besides picking 29 wickets in ongoing Ranji Trophy season, Nabi has taken 15 wickets in just seven matches in SMAT 2025-26, averaging 13.00.

5. Raj Limbani

The 20-year-old from Baroda made headlines during his recent stint with India U-19 after he featured in 2024 Under-19 World Cup. However, since then, Limbani is on a league of his own.

In the ongoing SMAT 2025, he has taken 15 wickets in seven innings, making him a serious contender to be picked during IPL 2026 mini-auction. 

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