In a pivotal event at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, the HBL Pakistan Super League, PSL 2024 draft unfolded for the eagerly anticipated ninth edition of the tournament. The draft served as a crucial milestone for franchises, enabling them to shape their squads for the upcoming PSL season and strategize for success.
Quetta Gladiators, however, encountered a setback as their Diamond Category player, Wanindu Hasaranga, declared his unavailability for the entire tournament. Despite this, Hasaranga committed to participating in the initial five matches. To fill this void, Akeal Hosein has been enlisted to replace Hasaranga for the remaining games in the ninth season.
The draft revealed unexpected turns as key players, including Haider Ali, Ahmad Shahzad, Sharjeel Khan, and Umar Akmal, surprisingly went unpicked. Notable talents such as Danish Aziz, Mubasir Khan, Arshad Iqbal, and Muhammad Huraira also failed to secure spots in the teams.
Adding to the intrigue, the absence of international stars like Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ashton Agar, Dasun Shanaka, Ben Duckett, Mujeeb ur Rahman, and Maheesh Theekshana marked a notable feature of the draft.
While details about the venues are yet to be confirmed, the PSL 2024 is slated to commence on February 19. The decision regarding matches across four venues is still pending confirmation, contributing to the anticipation surrounding the upcoming season.
The combination of unexpected exclusions, strategic replacements, and the lingering uncertainty about venues sets the stage for a highly competitive and intriguing ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League. As teams finalize their lineups, fans eagerly await the commencement of PSL 2024, anticipating an exciting and unpredictable cricketing spectacle.
Also, see:
Karachi Kings Squad in PSL 2024
