PSL Draft ceremony 2022: 425 players from 32 countries have registered for draft

Lahore: The cricket gala of Pakistan Super League 7 (PSL7) is about to begin as the draft ceremony currently underway at the National High-Performance Centre for selecting 425 players out of 32 countries across globe took place on Sunday.

During the ceremony, team officials are looking to finalise the best possible combinations for PSL7 during the player draft.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Mega event will start from 27 January during which 34 matches will be played. Franchises have already completed the process of retention list for PSL 7. 

As per drafting policy every team will be allowed to retain 8 players. Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi decided 8 players each; meanwhile, Quetta Gladiators and Multan Sultans finalized 7 players so far. 

Moreover, in every franchise’s 18 main squad three players from Platinum, Diamond and Gold categories will be added.

In every team 5 players from silver, 2 from emerging and 2 from supplementary category will be selected. The franchise was directed to follow the recommendations and select the players accordingly.

In the Platinum Category, Lahore Qalandars will have the first pick, followed by Multan Sultans, Karachi Kings, Islamabad United, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators.

As many as 425 players out of 32 countries have registered themselves for draft. Each franchise can comprise up to 18 players, including three each in the Platinum, Diamond, and Gold categories, five in the Silver, two Emerging and up to two in the Supplementary categories.

Platinum category

The first pick of the day, in the Platinum Category, was Fakhar Zaman, who has been chosen once more by Lahore Qalandars for its squad this year.

Other players chosen by franchises thus far include Tim David by Multan Sultans, Chris Jordan by Karachi Kings, Colin Munro by Islamabad United, Hazaratullah Zazai by Peshawar Zalmi and Jason Roy by Quetta Gladiators.

Diamond category

In the Diamond category, Islamabad United selected Dylan, Multan Sultans Odean Smith, Karachi Kings Lewis Gregory and Quetta Gladiators James Faulkner.

The tournament will start on January 27, with 34 matches scheduled to be played in Karachi and Lahore.

The first match will be staged under the lights of the National Stadium, where Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans will go head-to-head.