In a major trade before the formal drafts of Pakistan Super League's (PSL) third edition, Shahid Afridi's move from Peshawar Zalmi to Karachi Kings as a player was finalised on Tuesday.

Afridi, who helped his team to victory in PSL's second edition, will now play for Karachi Kings. He had already joined Karachi Kings as its president soon after the league's second edition ended earlier this year.

According to the deal finalised between the two franchises, Peshawar Zalmi will swap its picks in the gold and silver categories with Karachi Kings. Kings have the third pick in both the categories while Zalmi have fifth since PSL draft rules are such that the team which came last gets the first pick in all categories and Zalmi had returned as the winners last year.

"Shahid is a world-class player and the entire Peshawar Zalmi family thanks him for his contributions to our team," Javed Afridi, the owner of Peshawar Zalmi said. "He is like a brother and we wish him the very best of luck in this new journey."

Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal said: "Shahid Afridi is the biggest name in Pakistan cricket and we are extremely pleased to have him on board."

"Afridi brings a wealth of experience and a never-say-die attitude to our dressing room," he added.

Despite retiring from international cricket, Afridi has performed surprisingly well in the recently held Natwest T20 Blast, also scoring a century off only 42 balls proving he still has the firepower he is famous for.

The drafts for PSL's third season are expected mid-October for all categories except emerging category, with the emerging category drafts expected in January.

Opinion

Editorial

A bloody year
Updated 07 Oct, 2024

A bloody year

Using the Oct 7 attacks as an excuse to wage endless aggression on Middle East, Israel has crossed all red lines.
Bleak cotton outlook
07 Oct, 2024

Bleak cotton outlook

THE extremely slow arrival of phutti at the ginning factories of Punjab and Sindh so far indicate a huge drop in the...
Killjoy neighbours
07 Oct, 2024

Killjoy neighbours

AT the worst of times in their bilateral relations, India and Pakistan have not shied away from carrying out direct...
Peak of success
06 Oct, 2024

Peak of success

IT started with the ascent of Nanga Parbat in 2017 and ended with the summit of Tibet’s Shishapangma on Thursday....
Indian visitor
06 Oct, 2024

Indian visitor

AMONGST the host of foreign dignitaries expected to fly into Islamabad for the SCO Council of Heads of Government...
Violence once again
Updated 06 Oct, 2024

Violence once again

The warring sides must rein in their worst impulses and prioritise the nation’s well-being over short-term gains.