The highly anticipated HBL PSL Player Draft 2024 is on the horizon, scheduled to unfold on December 13 at the National Cricket Academy, Lahore.
Following the finalisation of all trades and retentions, Multan Sultans will now have the first pick in the first round of the Platinum category, after Multan and Quetta traded Iftikhar Ahmed and Rilee Rossouw between them. Naseem Shah’s move to Islamabad United also saw their first round Platinum pick exchanged with Quetta Gladiator’s third-round Platinum pick.
With the stage set for the draft, each franchise will wield the Right to Match Card, allowing them to reclaim any player released from their roster during the draft, adhering to established precedent. The cricketing community eagerly awaits the culmination of these strategic moves and anticipates the formation of formidable squads for the upcoming HBL PSL season.
Karachi Kings engage in a significant trade, swapping Shan Masood for left-arm wrist-spinner Faisal Akram, altering the dynamics of both teams. Quetta Gladiators maintain their firepower with the retention of the world’s No.5 T20I batter, Rilee Rossouw, in Platinum, and the third-ranked T20I bowler, Wanindu Hasaranga, in Diamond. Jason Roy, holder of the highest individual score in HBL PSL history, is also retained in Diamond. Sarfaraz Ahmed is appointed Brand Ambassador and retained in Gold. Mohammad Wasim Jnr and Abrar Ahmed are retained in Diamond and Gold, respectively, after a successful trade.
Islamabad United, the two-time champions, have retained the dynamic Shadab Khan, ICC’s eighth-ranked T20I all-rounder, and successfully traded for the talented Naseem Shah in the Platinum category. Imad Wasim, now in the Diamond category, assumes the role of the team’s Mentor, and Faheeem Ashraf is appointed Brand Ambassador in Gold.
Rumman Raees, retained in Silver, adds depth to the squad. Multan Sultans maintain stability with the retention of their captain, Mohammad Rizwan, a powerhouse T20 batter, in the Platinum category. Iftikhar Ahmed, acquired through a successful trade with Quetta Gladiators, joins as another Platinum player. Ihsanullah, the HBL PSL 2023 Player of the Tournament, is appointed Brand Ambassador and retains his place in the Silver category. Faisal Akram, secured through a trade with Karachi Kings, is retained in Emerging.
Reigning champions Lahore Qalandars have retained their captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, in the Platinum category. Adding to their formidable lineup, Haris Rauf takes the Diamond category, earning the prestigious title of the team’s brand ambassador. Sikandar Raza, ICC’s sixth-ranked T20I all-rounder, is retained in Gold, while second-ranked T20I bowler Rashid Khan holds his place in Silver, despite injury concerns. Mirza Tahir Baig secures his spot in Silver after a successful relegation request.
Peshawar Zalmi, recognizing the value of consistency, retain the most successful batter in HBL PSL history, Babar Azam, in Platinum, alongside West Indies power-hitter Rovman Powell. Mohammad Haris, named Brand Ambassador, is retained in Gold. Shan Masood’s move to Karachi Kings triggers an exchange of first-round Silver picks between the two teams. Babar Azam, the most successful batter in HBL PSL history and currently ranked No.4 in the ICC T20I rankings, has been retained in Platinum by Peshawar Zalmi alongside West Indies power-hitter Rovman Powell. Mohammad Haris has been retained in Gold category and has been named the Brand Ambassador as well.
In a strategic move, reigning champions Lahore Qalandars have retained their captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, in the Platinum category. Adding to their formidable lineup, Haris Rauf takes the Diamond category, earning the prestigious title of the team’s brand ambassador. Sikandar Raza, ICC’s sixth-ranked T20I all-rounder, is retained in Gold, while second-ranked T20I bowler Rashid Khan holds his place in Silver, despite injury concerns. Mirza Tahir Baig secures his spot in Silver after a successful relegation request.
PSL player draft retentions
Lahore Qalandars (8) Shaheen Shah Afridi (Platinum), Haris Rauf (Brand Ambassador) and David Wiese (both Diamond), Sikandar Raza, Abdullah Shafique and Zaman Khan (all Gold), Mirza Tahir Baig (Successful relegation request) and Rashid Khan (both Silver).
Islamabad United (8) Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah (both Platinum), Imad Wasim (Mentor) and Azam Khan (both Diamond), Faheem Ashraf (Brand Ambassador), Alex Hales and Colin Munro (all Gold), Rumman Raees (Successful relegation request in Silver).
Multan Sultans (7) Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed (both Platinum), Khushdil Shah and Usama Mir (both Diamond), Abbas Afridi (Gold), Ihsanullah (Brand Ambassador, Silver), Faisal Akram (Emerging).
Karachi Kings (8) James Vince and Hasan Ali (Diamond), Shan Masood (Brand Ambassador), Shoaib Malik (Mentor) and Tabraiz Shamsi (all Gold), Mir Hamza (Successful relegation request) and Muhammad Akhlaq (both Silver), Muhammad Irfan Khan (Emerging).
Quetta Gladiators (8) Rilee Rossouw (Platinum), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Jason Roy and Wanindu Hasaranga (all Diamond), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Brand Ambassador) Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Hasnain (all Gold), Will Smeed (Silver).
Peshawar Zalmi (8) Babar Azam and Rovman Powell (both Platinum), Saim Ayub and Tom Kohler-Cadmore (all Diamond), Mohammad Haris (Brand Ambassador) and Aamir Jamal (both Gold), Khurram Shahzad (Silver), Haseebullah (Emerging).
Also, see:
Shan Masood traded to Karachi Kings ahead of PSL 9 draft
