KARACHI: New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum and England's one-day international captain Eoin Morgan have agreed to take part in Pakistan Super League's (PSL) player draft.

“Brendon McCullum and Eoin Morgan are proven international stars who not only bring a wealth of international cricket experience but also bring invaluable leadership experience to the HBL PSL player roster," said Najam Sethi, chairman PSL.

Arrangements for the second season of PSL has started gathering pace as franchise owners met the PSL management at the National Cricket Academy today under Chairman PSL, Najam Sethi.

Teams may retain up to 16 players from their existing squads. All players who were brought on board by a team, regardless of whether they played, are eligible for retention.

The retention window will also provide teams with a chance to renegotiate with existing players and the window closes on September 14, 2016. The transfer window is concurrently open with teams in a position to leverage their draft picks and or existing squads to find an ideal balance.

The player draft slated to place in the month of October, with UAE emerging as a likely venue since leading players will be engaged in Pakistan’s home series in the UAE.

The draft order will follow the principle of placing the bottom-placed team from the previous year at an advantage. Consequently, Lahore Qalandars will have the first pick in every round. Karachi Kings will have the second pick, Peshawar Zalmi third, Quetta Gladiators fourth, and Islamabad United will make the final pick in every round.

The five franchises have also unanimously agreed to an increase in the salary cap to $1.2 million for the new season.

“We are buoyed by the success of PSL 1 and things are now getting into an exciting phase for season 2. I can promise that PSL 2 will be bigger and better, and we will leave no stone unturned in bringing unparalleled cricketainment to the fans. We will also try our best to stage the final of PSL 2 in Pakistan,” said Sethi.

McCullum, who led the New Zealand side through a golden period culminating in a World Cup final appearance in 2015, retired from international cricket last year.

Having participated in T20 leagues across the globe, McCullum’s addition to HBL PSL marks the arrival of another modern-day T20 icon.

Eoin Morgan, who led the English side to the final of the ICC World T20 2016, is also captain of a resurgent England One Day team.

HBL's PSL season 2 is set to return to action in February 2017.