In anticipation of the upcoming HBL PSL Player Draft 2024, all six franchises have confirmed their trades and player retentions. The much-anticipated draft is scheduled for December 13 at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.
For the retentions, each franchise had a maximum limit of eight players, with Multan Sultans being the exception, retaining seven players. Reigning champions Lahore Qalandars opted to retain their captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, in the Platinum category.
Meanwhile, Haris Rauf has been designated as the team’s brand ambassador in the Diamond category. Notably, Sikandar Raza, the ICC’s sixth-ranked T20I all-rounder, secured a retention spot in the Gold category.
However, there is uncertainty around the participation of the second-ranked T20I bowler, Rashid Khan, due to injury. Additionally, Mirza Tahir Baig successfully retained his position in the Silver category after a relegation request.
Two-time champions Islamabad United retained ICC’s eighth-ranked T20I all-rounder Shadab Khan, along with the successful trade acquisition Naseem Shah in the Platinum category. Imad Wasim, now in the Diamond category after moving from Karachi Kings, assumes the role of team Mentor.
Faheeem Ashraf, in the Gold category, has been appointed the Brand Ambassador. Meanwhile, Rumman Raees secured a Silver category retention after a successful relegation request.
Multan Sultans retained their captain, Mohammad Rizwan, the second-ranked T20I batter, in the Platinum category. Another Platinum player, Iftikhar Ahmed, was acquired through a successful trade with Quetta Gladiators.
The player of the tournament in HBL PSL 2023, Ihsanullah, not only retained his spot in the Silver category but also took on the role of Brand Ambassador. Faisal Akram, secured through a trade with Karachi Kings, has been retained in the Emerging category.
Karachi Kings held onto Shan Masood and Shoaib Malik in the Gold category. The trade window saw Shan Masood exchanged for left-arm wrist-spinner Faisal Akram. Shan Masood also assumed the role of Brand Ambassador, while Shoaib Malik was appointed the team Mentor. Additionally, Mir Hamza retained his Silver category position after a successful relegation request.
Quetta Gladiators retained the world’s No. 5 T20I batter, Rilee Rossouw, in Platinum, and the third-ranked T20I bowler, Wanindu Hasaranga, in Diamond. The trade market saw Mohammad Wasim Jnr and Abrar Ahmed retained in Diamond and Gold, respectively.
Jason Roy, the record-holder for the highest individual score in HBL PSL history, also retained his Diamond category position. Sarfaraz Ahmed, the appointed Brand Ambassador, retained his Gold category spot.
Peshawar Zalmi retained the most successful batter in HBL PSL history, Babar Azam, in Platinum, along with West Indies power-hitter Rovman Powell. Mohammad Haris retained his Gold category position and assumed the role of Brand Ambassador.
With the trades and retentions finalized, Multan Sultans now hold the first pick in the Platinum category’s first round. The draft dynamics were further impacted by trades, including the exchange of Naseem Shah’s move to Islamabad United, affecting the first-round Platinum picks.
Furthermore, Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators are tasked with picking a local player in the Platinum category. All six franchises have the Right to Match Card, allowing them to select any player released from their roster during the draft.
Notable foreign players in the top two categories include Daniel Sams, Ashton Agar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ben Duckett, Chris Jordan, David Willey, Dawid Malan, Luke Wood, Reece Topley, Tymal Mills, Sandeep Lamichhane, James Neesham, Rassie van der Dussen, Imran Tahir, Maheesh Theekshana, Kieron Pollard, and many others.