LAHORE: All the six franchises of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) picked their players in all categories for the ninth edition of the country’s premier Twenty20 event during a ceremony held here at the National Cricket Academy on Wednesday.
The PSL-9 is scheduled to be held from Feb 8 to March 24, 2024. Some 485 international players had shown their availability for the league.
The franchises picked their players in Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, Brand Ambassador and Emerging categories during a ceremony which was also addressed by PCB Interim Management Committee chairman Zaka Ashraf.
Multan Sultans went for England players David Willey (Platinum), Dawid Malan (Diamond) and Reece Topley (Gold) and South Africa’s Reeza Hendricks (Gold).
Pakistan spinner Mohammad Nawaz and Kieron Pollard of the West Indies were taken by Karachi Kings in Platinum category. The Shan Masood-led Kings also opted for Australian Daniel Sams (Platinum) and Tim Siefert (Diamond) of New Zealand.
Peshawar Zalmi, to be captained by Babar Azam, went for Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmed (Platinum) and Pakistan’s hard hitter Asif Ali (Diamond).
Islamabad United picked England cricketers Jordan Cox (Platinum) and Tymal Mills (Diamond) and Pakistan all-rounder Salman Ali Agha (Silver).
Interestingly, United will have the services of Pakistan pace spearhead Naseem Shah (Platinum), and his siblings Ubaid Shah and Hunain Shah (both Emerging). Naseem has come from Quetta Gladiators.
The Sarfraz Ahmed-led Quetta Gladiators chose former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir, West Indian Sherfane Rutherford (both Platinum), Usman Qadir and Saud Shakeel (both Silver).
Meanwhile, Lahore Qalandars retained Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman (Platinum) while picked Sahibzada Farhan (Diamond).
Earlier, the franchises had already retained several players, who had represented them in the last edition.
The media was not allowed to enter the main hall where the ceremony for the players pick was held.
The PSL-9 matches will be held in Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi as the PCB again failed to add Peshawar as another venue, as was promised last year by the Board.
Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2023
