Published: Jan 24, 2017, 02:53 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 24, 2017, 03:28 PM (IST)
Four franchises of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) have replaced some of their overseas players at the replacement draft held at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Monday, reported The News. The replacement draft was held due to the unavailability of some foreign players who were picked in the initial draft in Dubai. “The draft was organised to facilitate the inclusion of replacement foreign players after some of the players picked in the original draft dropped out of the competition due to injuries, unavailability, international commitments or bans,” the report quoted an official press release by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
It also added that the managements of four franchises were present at the draft where the picks were made after consent of all participants. “Karachi Kings have their original quota of foreign players intact. Kings have given their consent to the picks made by the other franchises,” it said. Current title holders Islamabad United have decided to retain their West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell in their team even as he awaits clearance after his doping case hearing. A verdict is expected within the next fortnight, and if he is banned, the franchise would be given the option to immediately replace Russell.
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Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi have made three changes each and the latter have withheld one pick to be made within the next 24 hours, the report stated. “The latter picks from PZ [Peshawar Zalmi] will only be activated and eligible to play once the number of foreign players in the team goes under the minimum quota allowed by the PSL, which is five. This would happen only after the Bangladesh players leave for their international team commitments,” it added.
Lahore Qalandars picked Jason Roy in place of Dwayne Bravo, Australia’s Chris Green in place of Shaun Tait, and James Franklin was picked in place of compatriot Anton Devcich. On the other hand, Peshawar Zalmi opted to pick Marlon Samuels in place of Alex Hales, Andre Fletcher for Mohammad Shahzad and Tillakaratne Dilshan for Shakib Al Hasan.
Quetta Gladiators opted to replace West Indian T20I skipper Carlos Brathwaite with Moeen Ali, David Willey with Nathan McCullum, Rovman Powell with Thisara Perera and Mohammad Nabi with Rilee Rossouw.
The second edition of PSL will be held at Dubai and Sharjah from February 9 to March 7, 2017. The final is scheduled to be held at Lahore.
