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Peshawar:The much-awaited players’ draft for the 10th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) concluded successfully, as the six franchises made their picks for the upcoming season. Held at the historic Shahi Qila (Lahore Fort), the draft saw team owners and management select top-tier talent, ranging from established international stars to promising young players, for their respective squads.

The 10th season of PSL promises to be an exciting contest, with several big names now part of the competition, while a few notable players were left out of the mix. The draft saw strategic moves as franchises looked to bolster their teams with key acquisitions to mount a challenge for the title.

In the Platinum category, Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators made strong moves, each selecting three players, while the remaining franchises opted for one or two star players. Karachi Kings were among the most aggressive in the draft, securing the services of Australian opener David Warner, English all-rounder Adam Milne, and emerging talent Abbas Afridi. Warner, in particular, has become the most expensive player in PSL history, with reports suggesting that his contract is worth a minimum of $300,000.

The Lahore Qalandars, defending champions, made an important pick by selecting New Zealand’s versatile cricketer Darryl Mitchell. Mitchell’s all-round capabilities are expected to add significant depth to the Lahore squad, which already boasts top performers like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar Zaman.

Peshawar Zalmi made strategic selections in the Platinum category by acquiring the right-to-match (RTM) option for England’s Tom Kohler-Cadmore. They also added local talent to their squad, with players like Mohammad Wasim Jr., a young fast bowler, and the hard-hitting batter, Hazratullah Zazai, making their way into the franchise.

The Quetta Gladiators, led by former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, picked up talented players such as Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, and Fahim Ashraf, hoping to build a squad capable of challenging for the PSL 10 title.

In the Diamond category, several other high-profile picks included West Indies’ Jason Holder for Islamabad United, while the Lahore Qalandars added Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perera. Meanwhile, in the Gold category, Peshawar Zalmi focused on local talent, picking up emerging stars like Abdul Samad and Naheed Rana.

While several established cricketers were drafted, there were also a few prominent players left out in this year’s draft. These players include former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who, despite being part of the draft process for the first time since the inaugural season in 2016, was not selected by any franchise.

However, Sarfaraz Ahmed was not entirely absent from the PSL scene. Quetta Gladiators’ team owner, Nadeem Omar, announced that Sarfaraz would not be leaving the team. Instead, he would take on a new role as the head coach for the Gladiators, under the mentorship of former Pakistan cricketer Moin Khan. Nadeem Omar confirmed that Sarfaraz’s leadership qualities and experience would benefit the team in a coaching capacity.

Sarfaraz, who led Quetta Gladiators to their first PSL title in 2016, took to social media to thank the franchise for the opportunities provided during his playing career. He expressed his gratitude for the trust the Gladiators’ management had shown him, while also sharing his excitement for his new role as coach.

Other notable absentees from the draft included top international stars like New Zealand’s Tim Southee, England’s Jason Roy, and Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, who were not picked by any franchise. Players like Shakib Al Hasan, Chris Lynn, and Moeen Ali, despite their experience and talent, were also left out of the draft.

The draft also highlighted the importance of emerging talent, with teams focusing on young players who could make an impact in the long run. The Emerging category saw several players selected, including Quetta Gladiators’ young pacer Hassan Nawaz, and Peshawar Zalmi’s Maaz Sadaqat, who has been touted as a future star.

In a bid to secure future stars, other franchises also picked promising young players. Lahore Qalandars added Mohammad Azab and Momin Qamar, two players from their renowned development program. Karachi Kings also focused on youth, selecting rising stars like Riyaz Allah and Fawad Ali, while Islamabad United included youngsters like Saad Masood and Haneen Shah in their ranks.

The presence of these emerging players adds a new dimension to the PSL, as teams seek to balance experience with youth, ensuring that the future of Pakistan cricket is well represented.

The PSL 10 draft also demonstrated the increasing appeal of the tournament among international players. A total of 40 foreign players were available in the Platinum category alone, with some notable names like Australia’s David Warner, South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen, and West Indies’ Shimron Hetmyer being in high demand.

Additionally, franchises also filled their squads with players from various cricketing nations, including England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies. This diverse mix of international stars is expected to elevate the level of competition and provide the fans with exciting cricketing action.Pakistani cricket fans are buzzing with excitement as they welcome the players selected in the PSL 10 draft.

The emergence of PSL as one of the premier T20 leagues in the world has also seen an increase in foreign player participation, with several international stars opting to join the league despite their busy schedules in other global tournaments. This trend is expected to continue as the PSL expands its global footprint.

As the 10th edition of PSL approaches, the excitement around the tournament has reached new heights. The 2025 season will feature a star-studded lineup of players from around the world, with teams looking to make their mark in what is expected to be a highly competitive tournament.

While the draft may have left some fans disappointed with the exclusion of certain players, it has also paved the way for a new chapter in PSL’s history. As the tournament gets set to kick off in April, the focus will now shift to how these new-look squads perform on the field and which team will emerge as the champions of PSL 10. The competition promises to be a thrilling spectacle, full of high-quality cricket and unforgettable moments.

Source: The COW News