Draft order decided as PSL also unveils logo

Islamabad will pick the first icon player, with Karachi in second

LAHORE: The build-up to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) begins in earnest as the five franchises got to know the order in which they will be picking players during the much anticipated draft on Tuesday.

Islamabad United get the first pick from the five icons in the platinum category with ARY Karachi, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators and Lahore Qalandar following Islamabad in that order.

Round 1 draft pick order thru ballot: Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Lahore #BaariLagGayi #HBLPSL

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 15, 2015

The PSL draft will take place at the Lahore University of Management Sciences on December 21 and 22.



“We’re getting ever closer to the realisation of the PSL, despite so many people doubting us,” said PSL governing council chairman Najam Sethi. “I hope it is a success.”

"I'm honored to be partnering to be with Habib Bank on this auspicious occasion", expresses @najamsethi. #HBLPSL

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 15, 2015

Pakistan all-rounders Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik are joined by West Indian Chris Gayle, Australian Shane Watson and English Kevin Pietersen as the five Icon players that are going to be picked first during the draw.

Hard-hitters Gayle and Afridi are considered the hottest properties in the draft, with all franchises looking to pick them up.

With Islamabad and Karachi being the first to pick their Icon player, it is highly likely that Gayle and Afridi will end up playing for these two sides.

Team owners of #Lahore & #Karachi in good spirits at the #HBLPSL logo launch! #AbKhelKeDikha pic.twitter.com/KDtLDEmNR4

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 15, 2015

The five icons will get Rs20 million apiece, while the players in the Platinum category are set to receive Rs14million per year. Players in the Diamond, Gold, Silver and Emerging categories will get Rs7 million, Rs5 million, Rs2.5 million and Rs1 million respectively.

The process to select which team would get first pick was taken right from the streets of Pakistan. Five sheets, with numbers one to five written on them, were placed faced down on the ground with a bat put on top of them to cover them.

Chairman #HBLPSL GC @najamsethi and HBL CMO Naveed Asghar have a video message for you! #AbKhelKeDikha pic.twitter.com/C70Dy5Ms3G

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 15, 2015

PSL ambassador Ramiz Raja then called the representatives of the five franchises and asked them to place a flag over each chit of paper.

Each team has to buy at least 16 players apiece, out of which only five can be foreigners. Three players apiece will be from the Platinum, Diamond and Gold categories, with five from Silver and two from Emerging.

However, teams can opt for up to 20 players in their squad. They would then be allowed six foreigners and 14 local players.

Ramiz Raja said he is looking forward to the draft, adding that the teams need to do their homework before it in order to buy the right players.



“The PSL draft will be really exciting and the clubs would have to work hard to ensure that they get the best players out of it,” said Ramiz, while speaking to The Express Tribune.

“I’ve seen owners and officials lose their cool and sometimes the pressure of the situation gets the better of them. They need to have a clear strategy and if they are facing problems, they should hire cricketing consultants to add to the advice of their coaching staffs.”

"A great platform to showcase Pakistan's sporting and management talent all around the world", expresses Rameez Raja. #HBLPSL

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 15, 2015

Once the first pick is made, the teams would follow a predetermined order that has already been submitted to them. The draft order has been made in a way that none of the five sides gets an unfair advantage.

Meanwhile, the PSL’s schedule was decided as well, with Quetta Gladiators taking on Islamabad United in the opener on February 4 in Dubai.