ISLAMABAD: The Lahore Qalandars, who traded away Umar Akmal in a blockbuster trade earlier this month, picked former South African skipper AB de Villiers and all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez for the fourth edition of the much-celebrated Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the players’ draft held in the capital on Tuesday.
A total of 663 foreign and local players were available to be picked in the draft, by the six franchises: Islamabad United, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars and the ‘Sixth Team’.
The sixth team, which is yet to be named, picked Shahid Afridi and Australian batsman Steve Smith.
Former captain Misbahul Haq, who lead his previous team Islamabad United to victory twice, was chosen by Peshawar Zalmi
The six teams of PSL 4 had as many as 663 foreign and local players to choose from.
The fourth season of the league will feature six franchises: Islamabad United, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars and the ‘Sixth Team,’ which is yet to be named.
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Elsewhere, Quetta Gladiators drafted Dwayne Bravo with their platinum category pick.
Ownership rights of Multan Sultan are open as the franchise failed to pay its annual fee of US $5.2m hence got its membership terminated. “We cannot wait for the completion of all the formalities before holding the draft. It is a time-consuming job as we have to go through the entire process afresh,” PCB chief Ehsan Mani said.
The franchises have already decided their retentions for which they had until November 13. Defending champions Islamabad United retained 10 players, leaving space for six more. Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi and the sixth team retained eight players severally leaving the spot for another eight apiece. Quetta Gladiators retained nine players earlier and will pick seven more. All six franchises have an optional round to choose another four players from the supplementary category.
The sixth ‘unnamed’ team has already retained Shoaib Malik and Keiron Pollard in Platinum, Kumar Sangakkara and Sohail Tanvir in Diamond, Muhammad Irfan and Junaid Khan in Gold and Kashif Bhatti, Sohaib Maqsood and Irfan Khan in Silver category.
The PSL draft ceremony was broadcasted live on PSL’s YouTube channel.
