Shahid Afridi, Imad Wasim among recent signees for BPL 2016-17

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) season two starts from the 4th of November in Dhaka and the franchises are busy signing up foreign players one after the other they feel would form the core of their team ahead of the players draft. Among the most recent signees is Pakistan heavyweight Shahid Afridi who has been bought by Rangpur Riders and defending champions Comilla Victorians roped in the latest spin-bowling sensation from Pakistan Imad Wasim.

There was uncertainty over his availability but West Indies star Chris Gayle has agreed to be a part of the Chittagong Vikings team for five matches in the second half of the tournament. He has been signed by Chittagong Vikings, this time having represented Barisal Bulls in the inaugural edition.

In the Vikings team, Gayle has other international players in – Dwayne Smith, Shoaib Malik, Chaturanga de Silva and Mohammad Nabi for company. Victorians, on the other hand, have picked up Thisara Perera and Sohail Tanvir who previously played for Rangpur Ryders and Sylhet Super Stars respectively to accompany Imad as the overseas players.

The Dhaka Dynamites have also done their match and got some big names in the likes of Mahela Jayawardene along with Andre Russell who last played for Comilla, Dwayne Bravo, Evin Lewis of the Bulls and Ravi Bopara who featured in the Sylhet team.

Rangpur Riders boast of some serious talent in the lineup as well with names like Shahid Afridi who they  got from Sylhet, Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Shahzad, Dasun Shanaka, West Indies teenager Gidron Pope who was impressive during the U19 World Cup earlier this year along with England pacer Richard Gleeson.

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Khulna Titans have entrusted their faith on West Indies youngster Nicholas Pooran, Riki Wessels, Kevon Cooper, Mohammad Asghar and Benny Howell. Rajshahi has added two new names to its team in the form of Darren Sammy and Mohammad Sami while Barisal Bulls have signed only Dilshan Munaweera as the foreign recruit ahead of the draft.

Here are the teams and the overseas players they have picked ahead of the draft:

Chittagong Vikings: Chris Gayle, Dwayne Smith, Shoaib Malik, Chaturanga de Silva, Mohammad Nabi

Rangpur Riders: Shahid Afridi, Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Shahzad, Dasun Shanaka, Gidron Pope, Richard Gleeson

Dhaka Dynamites: Kumar Sangakkara, Andre Russell, Mahela Jayawardene, Dwayne Bravo, Evin Lewis, Ravi Bopara

Comilla Victorians: Sohail Tanvir, Imad Wasim, Ashar Zaidi, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thisara Perera

Khulna Titans: Nicholas Pooran, Riki Wessels, Kevon Cooper, Mohammad Asghar, Benny Howell

Barisal Bulls: Dilshan Munaweera

Rajshahi: Darren Sammy, Mohammad Sami

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