The Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 draft has become the talk of the cricketing world, showcasing a mix of global cricketing superstars and emerging talent. With the player draft scheduled for January 13, 2024, at Huzuri Bagh, Lahore, fans are eagerly anticipating how franchises will shape their squads for the upcoming season.
This year, the draft brings several key changes to its structure, including the reduction of categories and a more streamlined pick order. Here’s an in-depth look at the draft details, the players featured, and what it means for the teams and fans.
PSL 10 Draft: Revamped Categories
In a significant restructuring, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reduced the number of categories:
- Platinum: Reduced from three to two categories.
- Diamond: Consolidated into one category.
- Gold: Trimmed from three to two categories.
- Silver: Reduced from five to three categories.
These adjustments aim to increase competition for top-tier players and ensure balanced team compositions.
Key Players in Platinum and Diamond Categories
Platinum Category
The Platinum category, featuring 40 international players, includes some of the biggest names in cricket:
- Australia: David Warner, Matthew Short, Shaun Abbott.
- Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman.
- New Zealand: Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell.
- England: Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Zak Crawley.
- Others: Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan), Chris Lynn (Australia), and Kaushal Mendis (Sri Lanka)
Diamond Category
The Diamond category includes 87 foreign players, such as:
- Alex Carey (Australia).
- Rilee Rossouw (South Africa).
- Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe).
These players bring a wealth of experience from various T20 leagues worldwide, making the Diamond category a pivotal segment of the draft.
Revised Pick Order
The PCB has introduced a revised pick order for the draft:
- Platinum 1: Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, Quetta Gladiators, Peshawar Zalmi, Multan Sultans, Islamabad United.
- Platinum 2: Quetta Gladiators, Karachi Kings, followed by others.
This pick order sets the stage for strategic player selections, as teams aim to strengthen their lineups.
Retentions by Teams
The six franchises have announced their retentions ahead of the draft. Here’s a quick snapshot:
Islamabad United (8 Retentions)
- Platinum: Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah.
- Diamond: Imad Wasim (mentor), Azam Khan.
Multan Sultans (7 Retentions)
- Platinum: Mohammad Rizwan, Usama Mir.
- Gold: Chris Jordan.
Peshawar Zalmi (7 Retentions)
- Platinum: Babar Azam, Saim Ayub.
- Silver: Mehran Mumtaz, Sufyan Moqim.
Quetta Gladiators (8 Retentions)
- Diamond: Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir (mentor).
- Gold: Saud Shakeel (brand ambassador).
Karachi Kings (7 Retentions)
- Diamond: Hasan Ali, James Vince.
- Gold: Shan Masood, Muhammad Irfan Khan.
Lahore Qalandars (8 Retentions)
- Platinum: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman.
- Diamond: Haris Rauf (brand ambassador).
Relocation of the Draft and Future Plans
Originally scheduled to take place in Gwadar, the draft has been moved to Lahore due to unforeseen logistical challenges. However, the PCB has announced that Gwadar will play a significant role in the PSL 2025 Trophy Tour, emphasizing its importance in future plans.
The PSL 10 draft promises to bring excitement and anticipation, with teams set to compete for the best talent from around the globe. The revised categories, star-studded player lists, and strategic draft pick orders make this year’s edition a must-watch for cricket enthusiasts.
