The excitement is building for the tenth season of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made significant updates to the player categories. These changes feature several notable promotions, making this year’s tournament even more appealing for cricket fans. With the player draft scheduled for January 11, 2025, anticipation is at its peak.
This season sees the promotion of key players, including Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Saim Ayub, and Usama Mir, who have all succeeded in moving from the Diamond category to the coveted Platinum category. The list of local players has also been expanded, featuring 87 cricketers overall, and highlights the growing talent pool within the league.
Among the prestigious names retained within the Platinum category are seasoned performers such as Imad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Babar Azam. These players will lead their respective franchises, aiming to showcase their skills and secure victories for their teams.
The breakdown of local player categories reveals deep diversity across teams. Take the Diamond category, which includes 16 players. The Quetta Gladiators and Multan Sultans each contributed four players, illustrating their commitment to nurturing local talent. Meanwhile, Karachi Kings has three players, and each of Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi has two players represented. Interestingly, the Lahore Qalandars feature only one player within this category.
Moving to the Gold category, which boasts 30 players, the Peshawar Zalmi stands out with seven players. Both Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars have five names each, reflecting their competitive edge and extensive player development programs, whereas Quetta Gladiators hold five as well. Islamabad United and Multan Sultans each contribute four players, indicating their intent to strengthen their squads with strong local prospects.
The Silver category, with its 16 players, has most representatives from Quetta Gladiators, Lahore Qalandars, and Peshawar Zalmi. These teams are clearly focusing on broadening their talent pool. Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans have two players each, with Islamabad United securing one player, showcasing their strategic selections.
The Emerging category shows promise with 12 players selected, as this group is integral for the future of cricket. Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi each bring three players to the table, reflecting their commitment to fostering young talent. Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans contribute two players, adding strength, and Quetta Gladiators and Lahore Qalandars have one player each.
Highlighting the importance of player development, the PCB opened the registration for foreign players and the trade window for franchises back on December 12, paving the way for strategic signings and trades as they gear up for another thrilling PSL season. The retention and relegation process, which is always under scrutiny, will culminate by the end of December, allowing teams to finalize their rosters. This careful management of player categories demonstrates the PCB’s determination to keep the league competitive.
Fans eagerly await the upcoming player draft, with all eyes on January 11, 2025. The PCB has promised to release details on the venue and time closer to the date. With the revised local player categories already stirring discussions among cricket enthusiasts, it’s clear this season is set to bring both excitement and intense competition.
Here's the rundown of the key players categorized for this season, team by team:
Islamabad United: Retaining Imad Wasim, Naseem Shah, and Shadab Khan at Platinum, the team also features Azam Khan and Salman Ali Agha as Diamonds. Faheem Ashraf, Haider Ali, Qasim Akram, Rumman Raees make the Gold group, whereas Shahab Khan is the sole representative from Silver, with Hunain Shah, Shamil Hussain, and Obaid Shah classified as Emerging players.
Karachi Kings: Hasan Ali joins the squad as their only Platinum player, alongside Mohammad Nawaz, Shan Masood, and Shoaib Malik within the Diamond category. Gold categories include Ifrat Munhas, Anwar Ali Khan, Mir Hamza, Zahid Mahmood, and Irfan Khan Niazi, with Mohammad Amir Khan and Mohammad Ikhlaq filling up the Silver slots. Saad Baig and Sirajuddin represent the Emerging group.
Lahore Qalandars: With key players Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, and Shaheen Shah Afridi at the top level, the team has Abdullah Shafiq as Diamond. The Gold category includes Sahibzada Farhan, Zaman Khan, Mirza Tahir Baig, Kamran Ghulam, and Jahanzaib Khan. Ahsan Hafeez Bhatti, Mohammad Imran Junior, Salman Fayyaz, and Syed Fereidoun Mahmood represent Silver, with Tayyab Abbas included as Emerging.
Multan Sultans: Holding strong with Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Usama Mir at Platinum, the team has Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, and Usman Khan filling the Diamond group. Players like Ihsanullah, Tayyab Tahir, Shahnawaz Dahani, and Faisal Akram are recognized within Gold, with Ali Majid, Yasir Khan, Aftab Ibrahim, and Mohammad Shehzad wrapping up the Emerging positions.
Peshawar Zalmi: Featuring Babar Azam and Saim Ayub as its prestigious keeps at Platinum, the Diamond category sees Aamir Jamal and Mohammad Haris included. The Gold group is well represented by players like Salman Irshad, Hussain Talat, and Sufyan Maqeem, with Arif Yaqoob, Mehran Mumtaz, and Umair Afridi listed under Silver. Emerging status goes to names like Aimal Khan, Ali Raza, and Mohammad Zishan.
Quetta Gladiators: The team has Mohammad Amir stepping up to Platinum, with Abrar Ahmed, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakil, and Mohammad Hasnain within Diamond. Names like Mohammad Wasim Junior, Usman Qadir, Umair Bin Yousuf, Sohail Khan, and Umar Amin complete their Gold category, with Sajad Ali Junior, Usman Tariq, Bismillah Khan, and Khawaja Mohammad Nafees listed as Silver players. Lastly, Adil Naz is acknowledged as Emerging.
The updates to the player categories this season promise intense competition, highlight the strategic depths of each team, and reflect the continual evolution of cricket talent within Pakistan. With the countdown to the PSL 10 player draft underway, the stage is set for cricket fans to witness exhilarating matches filled with passionate athletes and electrifying performances.
