Six franchises, including defending champions Lahore Qalandars, have confirmed their retained players for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League, while Multan Sultans have chosen not to retain any players from their previous squad, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Wednesday.
All franchises except Islamabad United have retained four players each, with United opting to retain three. The league’s two new teams, Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad, are scheduled to announce their retentions by Saturday, 7 February.
Lahore Qalandars have once again placed their trust in Shaheen Shah Afridi, the only captain to win the PSL title three times, retaining him in the Platinum category. Batter Abdullah Shafique has been kept in the Diamond category, while Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza continues with the franchise in Gold. Emerging player of PSL X, Mohammad Naeem, has been retained in the Silver category.
Quetta Gladiators have retained mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed in the Platinum category, Usman Tariq in Diamond, PSL X Player of the Tournament Hasan Nawaz in Gold, and left-handed batter Shamyl Hussain in the Emerging category.
Peshawar Zalmi have retained Babar Azam, the leading run-scorer in PSL history and one of only two players to feature in 100 PSL matches. The 2017 champions have also kept left-arm wrist-spinner Sufyan Moqim in Diamond, Abdul Samad in Gold, and pacer Ali Raza in the Emerging category.
For Islamabad United, Shadab Khan’s association with the franchise will reach the decade mark after he was retained in the Platinum category by the three-time champions. Fast bowler Salman Irshad (Gold) and USA wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous (Silver) are the other two retentions.
Karachi Kings have retained Hasan Ali, the leading wicket-taker in PSL history, in the Platinum category. The 2020 champions have also kept Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold) and Saad Baig (Emerging).
In a notable move, Multan Sultans have opted for zero retentions, indicating a complete squad overhaul ahead of the upcoming season.
Full Retentions
Lahore Qalandars:
Shaheen Shah Afridi (Platinum), Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold), Mohammad Naeem (Silver)
Quetta Gladiators:
Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hasan Nawaz (Gold), Shamyl Hussain (Emerging)
Islamabad United:
Shadab Khan (Platinum), Salman Irshad (Gold), Andries Gous (Silver)
Peshawar Zalmi:
Babar Azam (Platinum), Sufyan Moqim (Diamond), Abdul Samad (Gold), Ali Raza (Emerging)
Karachi Kings:
Hasan Ali (Platinum), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold), Saad Baig (Emerging)
Multan Sultans:
No retentions
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