LAHORE: Six seasoned campaigners have been chosen by Multan Sultans as the newly introduced franchise of the Pakistan Super League announced its first pick of nine players for next year’s edition of the league to be held in February.

Top of the list is Sri Lankan run-making mach­ine legendary Kumar Sangakkara who has been picked as a player (in the Diamond category) as well as the mentor.

Former Pakistan captain and experienced all-rounder Shoaib Malik and West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard are included in the Platinum category.

Pakistan all-rounder Sohail Tanvir (Diamond) along with left-arm Test pacers Mohammad Irfan and Junaid Khan (Gold) are also part of the Multan Sultans squad.

Sohaib Maqsood, Pakis­tan’s discarded ODI batsman, who belongs to Multan city plus spinners Kashif Bhatti and Irfan Khan Jr are also among Sultans’ pick. They have been kept in the Silver category.

Meanwhile, commenting on the first pick, president of Multan Sultans Asher Schon said, “Multan Sultans have gone for experience and a strong Pakistani core with this selection. We would like to welcome the first nine Sultans on board and we can’t wait for the main draft to build on this selection.”

In the first two editions of PSL, Shoaib and Sangakkara played for the Karachi Kings, who have signed former Pakistan captain and explosive hitter Shahid Afridi recently for the first time.

Multan Sultans’ first pick:

Shoaib Malik (Platinum), Kieron Pollard (Platinum), Kumar Sangakkara (Diamond, mentor), Sohail Tanvir (Diamond), Mohammad Irfan (Gold, ambassador), Junaid Khan Jr (Gold), Sohaib Maqsood (Silver), Kashif Bhatti (Silver), Irfan Khan (Silver).

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2017