The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is preparing for its milestone 10th season, with the drafting process now underway in the historic Hazuri Bagh located in Lahore’s Walled City. Franchises, players, and cricket enthusiasts are filled with excitement as teams finalize their selections for what is expected to be an exhilarating tournament.
Platinum Category Round 1
The first round of the Platinum category featured the addition of prominent players to the squads:
Islamabad United: Matthew Short
Multan Sultans: Michael Bracewell
Peshawar Zalmi: Tom Kohler-Cadmore (via Right to Match)
Quetta Gladiators: Mark Chapman
Lahore Qalandars: Daryl Mitchell
Karachi Kings: David Warner
Platinum Category Round 2
Brought even more firepower:
Quetta Gladiators: Faheem Ashraf and Finn Allen
Karachi Kings: Adam Milne and Abbas Afridi
Diamond Category Highlights
Teams didn’t hold back in the Diamond round:
Karachi Kings snagged Khushdil Shah.
Islamabad United brought in Jason Holder.
Lahore Qalandars secured Kusal Perera.
Multan Sultans invited Arshad Nadeem to announce their pick, Muhammad Hasnain.
Gold, Silver, and Emerging Talent
In the Gold category, Peshawar Zalmi picked Abdul Samad as a wild card, while Karachi Kings brought in Aamir Jamal. The Silver category saw selections like Litton Das for Karachi Kings, Asif Ali for Lahore Qalandars, and Josh Little for Multan Sultans. In the Emerging category, franchises focused on nurturing young talent, with Quetta Gladiators choosing Hassan Nawaz and Multan Sultans for Shahid Aziz.
Supplementary Picks
Teams concluded with some high-profile selections, including Kane Williamson (Karachi Kings), Kusal Mendis (Lahore Qalandars), and Tom Curran (Quetta Gladiators).
Star-Studded Draft Event
The atmosphere at Hazuri Bagh was electric, with notable attendees including cricket superstars. Babar Azam, along with his father and former legends Inzamam-ul-Haq and Haji Akram, were present at the event, which also included franchise representatives like Multan Sultans’ owner Ali Tareen.
A Pool of International Stars
The 2025 Platinum category pool boasts 44 overseas players from eight different countries, including David Warner, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, and Shakib Al Hasan. PSL CEO Salman Naseer expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “This year’s draft pool showcases incredible talent from around the world.”
What Makes PSL Special?
Since its launch in 2016, the PSL has established itself as a platform for exciting cricket, emerging talent, and international stars. Over the years, five champions have been crowned—Islamabad United leads with three titles—and the league has not only entertained fans but also played a crucial role in bringing international cricket back to Pakistan.
As January 13 draws near, excitement builds for the final team line-ups. PSL 10 is set to be a memorable season!