Rashid among top picks, Gayle misses out in The Hundred draft

Published October 21, 2019
West Indies opener Chris Gayle entered the draft as one of its most expensive players at 125,000 but could find a team. — AP/File
West Indies opener Chris Gayle entered the draft as one of its most expensive players at 125,000 but could find a team. — AP/File

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan became the first overseas player picked for the inaugural 'The Hundred' competition next year, but Twenty20 stalwarts Chris Gayle and Lasith Malinga were among notable omissions in Sunday's draft.

Rashid, the number one Twenty20 bowler, was snared by Trent Rockets for the top price of 125,000.

Australian players dominated the first major player draft in British sport with batting mainstay Steve Smith and quick Mitchell Starc picked up by Welsh Fire for 125,000 each.

“It's going to be exciting to be in the first ever hundred-ball comp,” Smith told Sky Sports via satellite link.

“I'm looking forward to joining the Welsh Fire, Jonny (Bairstow) and Starcy and the boys there — it looks a good squad that they've picked up so far so I'm looking forward to it.”

Team mate David Warner joined Southern Brave who also picked explosive West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell.

Australia's limited overs captain Aaron Finch joined Northern Superchargers while team mate Glenn Maxwell was snared by London Spirit.

Apart from Rashid, other Afghan spinners in the tournament include Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Superchargers), Mohammad Nabi (Spirit) and Qais Ahmed (Welsh Fire).

West Indies opener Chris Gayle and Sri Lankan quick Malinga entered the draft as two of its most expensive players at 125,000 but neither could find a team.

The eight franchises were keen to recruit the Australian players who will be available for the entire duration of the 100-ball competition scheduled in July-August next year.

Opinion

Editorial

Plugging the gap
06 May, 2024

Plugging the gap

IN Pakistan, bias begins at birth for the girl child as discriminatory norms, orthodox attitudes and poverty impede...
Terrains of dread
Updated 06 May, 2024

Terrains of dread

Restored faith in the police is unachievable without political commitment and interprovincial support.
Appointment rules
Updated 06 May, 2024

Appointment rules

If the judiciary had the power to self-regulate, it ought to have exercised it instead of involving the legislature.
Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....