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LAHORE: The six Pakistan Super League (PSL) sides confirmed their line-ups for the sixth edition of Pakistan Cricket Board’s marquee event, which will be held in Karachi and Lahore from 20 February to 22 March.
In the Platinum Category, all-rounder Hasan Ali, who played the first five seasons for Peshawar Zalmi, was picked up by Islamabad United as a wildcard pick, Australia’s Chris Lynn moved from Lahore Qalandars to Multan Sultans, world’s No.1 T20I bowler Rashid Khan of Afghanistan was scooped by Lahore Qalandars.
Meanwhile, Quetta Gladiators went strong and snapped up England’s explosive Tom Banton and Universe Boss, Chris Gayle, while David Miller was snapped by Peshawar Zalmi as the left-hander is now set to become the latest South African to make his HBL Pakistan Super League debut.
In the Diamond Category, Karachi Kings opted for two all-rounders – world’s No.1 ranked Mohammad Nabi and Dan Christian of Australia. Peshawar Zalmi strengthened their side by snapping up world’s No.2 ranked T20I bowler Mujeeb Ur Rehman of Afghanistan and then added Guyana’s all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford to their roster.
In the Gold Category, Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings picked Samit Patel and Chadwick Walton, respectively, Peshawar Zalmi took Amad Butt, Usman Shinwari was relocated from Qalandars to Gladiators, while Islamabad United picked Phil Salt.
In the Silver Category, Islamabad United picked Iftikhar Ahmad, Reece Topley and Rohail Nazir; Karachi Kings opted for Danish Aziz, Joe Clarke, Mohammad Ilyas and Zeeshan Malik; Lahore Qalandars snapped up Mohammad Faizan, Tom Abell, Salman Ali Agha and Zeeshan Ashraf; Multan Sultans selected Adam Lyth, Mohammad Rizwan, Sohaib Maqsood, Sohaibullah and Sohail Khan; Peshawar Zalmi went for Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, Saqib Mahmood and Umaid Asif, while Quetta Gladiators strengthened their side with Abdul Nasir, Cameron Delport and Qais Ahmed.
In a statement, Islamabad United, assistant coach, Saeed Ajmal said, “The Draft has gone exactly the way we had hoped for. We are happy with our selections and hopefully these will reflect in our performances.”
Karachi Kings’ Cricket Director Wasim Akram said, “I am very pleased with the way the Draft went as we picked almost all the players we wanted to. The thought was to have a balanced side and try to cover all bases with players who are good finishers.”
