10 PSL Players who would be targeted by franchises in IPL 2021

The 1st phase of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021 was played from 20th Feb 2021 to 3rd March 2021 but had to be postponed due to the outbreak of coronavirus in Pakistan. Even though the tournament was being played behind closed doors at the National Stadium in Karachi, the PCB decided not to compromise the safety of the players & postponed it.

The 2nd phase of PSL resumed from 9th June 2021 & is being played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, one of the venues for the 2nd phase of IPL 2021. However the PSL consists majorly of Pakistani players, there is a great mix of young & experienced talented foreign players who are a part of PSL & would like to be a part of the world’s biggest league, the IPL. Let’s look at some of those players-

PSL players who might be targeted by IPL teams in 2021

1. James Faulkner (Lahore Qalandars)

For all you IPL fans, yes he is alive. (pun intended). The Australian all-rounder has been kept out of the national team for quite a while & would want to be in the mix again desperately.

He has been taking steps in the right direction as he has been a stellar performer for Lahore Qalandars this PSL, taking 13 wickets in 6 matches at a mere average of 12 per wicket. He has been scoring quickfire runs down the end as well, quite the vintage Faulkner we have seen.

Rajasthan Royals, the only IPL franchise he has played for would probably be the most desperate to have the 2015 WC Final Man of the Match due to the probable absence of their star English players. He would be a perfect addition to the Punjab Kings squad as well as they lack a perfect all-rounder.

2. Colin Munro (Islamabad United)

The ever attacking Kiwi southpaw has been absolutely magnificent for Islamabad United in this year’s PSL scoring 241 runs in 5 matches at a staggering average of 80.33 & a strike rate of over 175.

His international records speak for themselves as he has scored 1724 runs at a strike rate of 156.44. He also has the record of the most T20I hundreds. All these records are a testimony of how good a player he is. He can even chip in with 1-2 overs of medium pace bowling.

Even though his IPL records aren’t that great, an in-form Munro can win matches single-handedly. Kolkata Knight Riders would have an eye on him as they require the flamboyance in the top order which Munro could provide in the absence of their captain, Eoin Morgan.

3. Sherfane Rutherford (Peshawar Zalmi)

This 22-year-old West Indian might not be as popular as his seniors like Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard & Andre Russell, but hits the ball far, if not as far as them.

He has scored 241 runs in this year’s PSL at a strike rate of just over 150. He has the ability to strike cleanly right from the word go & can bat anywhere in the order, providing the much-needed flexibility to any T20 side. He is a good fielder & can provide 1-2 overs if needed.

He has played for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2019 & was traded to the Mumbai Indians for the 2020 season but wasn’t able to get any game time. He could flourish in CSK’s yellow jersey under MSD’s captaincy & perform the exact same role Moeen Ali had been performing this IPL, which was “playing freely”.

4. Noor Ahmad (Karachi Kings)

A player that not many have heard of, this 16-year-old Afghan chinaman is a raw talent who would adore the opportunity of playing in the IPL. He has picked up 3 wickets in 3 matches at an economy of about 6.5 runs per over.

Though he doesn’t have much experience under his belt, he has troubled 2 of the best Pakistani middle-order batsmen- Shoaib Malik & Mohammed Hafeez (took his wicket). Batsmen are unable to pick his googly this season.

The defending champions, Mumbai Indians, who are known to scout young talented players & give them chances could give a chance to this 16-year-old boy as well. He could be on their list as they may want to have a chinaman in their ranks as well.

5. Tim David (Lahore Qalandars)

The tall lanky Singaporean striker has been in the talks for a year or so performing consistently in the BBL for the Hobart Hurricanes & now again in the PSL, scoring 180 runs at an average of 45 & a strike rate of over 165. He has shown his mettle in the international circuit as well, scoring 558 runs at an average of 46.5 & a strike rate just below 160.

He comes in at 5 or 6 & can change the momentum of the game very quickly with his big-hitting. If he manages to earn an IPL contract, the experience he would gain would be invaluable to him as well as the Singapore Cricket Association (one of the  associate cricket nations)

He can be a great backup option for teams like Delhi Capitals & Royal Challengers Bangalore who prefer to have a foreign player who can clear the boundary ropes with ease.

6. Usman Khwaja (Islamabad United)

He has been in & out of the Australian set-up for quite some time now. The 34-year-old Queenslander has scored 176 runs in 5 matches with his highest score of 105 off 56 against Peshawar Zalmi. He along with his opening partner Colin Munro have been instrumental in Islamabad United finishing 1st after the league matches.

He has the required experience of playing in the sub-continent as well as at the international level. Being able to sweep & cut extremely well, he is a lethal player of spin bowling.

He has played in IPL 2016 for the Rising Pune Supergiant, scoring 127 runs in 6 matches. A team like Rajasthan Royals who have an average core of Indian batsmen could really boost their chances of winning the IPL this year with an in-form Khawaja.

7. Blessing Muzarabani (Multan Sultans)

This 6 ft 5 inches fast bowler is regarded as the optimum combination of Morne Morkel & Kagiso Rabada in the Zimbabwean cricket circuit. He doesn’t have a typical action nor express pace, but uses his height to advantage which makes it difficult for batsmen to hit him out of the park.

He has taken 21 wickets in 15 matches at an economy of just over 8.5 runs per over in T20Is. He has taken 5 wickets in 4 matches at an economy less than 8.5 runs per over. For a wicket-taking fast bowler, an economy around the 8-8.5 mark is good.

He can bowl anywhere in the innings & can surprise the batsmen with the skiddy nature of his deliveries. Punjab Kings & Rajasthan Royals are teams that would have an eye on him as their bowling attack isn’t the strongest going into the IPL & the Zimbabwean could indeed be a “blessing” for them.

8. Rilee Rossouw (Multan Sultans)

The 31-year-old South African batsman has been consistently performing in all the leagues of the world. He has a decent international record as well, scoring 327 runs in 15 T20Is at an average of about 30 & a strike rate of about 138.

He is one of the best fielders across the globe, whether it be creating run-out chances from nowhere or taking outstanding catches. Having an experienced batsman who has played across all the leagues of the world would be a great plus point for a team with a young inexperienced middle order.

Kolkata Knight Riders would have him on their list as he is one of the best available replacements for their skipper, Eoin Morgan- an experienced left-handed middle-order batsman.

9. Saqib Mahmood (Peshawar Zalmi)

A rising star, this 24-year-old England pacer has performed exceedingly well in the 2nd phase of the PSL. The lack of international experience may be an advantage to him as many players wouldn’t have faced him earlier & he may end up as a surprise of the IPL.

He is the 2nd highest wicket-taker for his team, Peshawar Zalmi with 12 wickets in just 5 matches with an average of about 12 per wicket. These are outstanding figures for a young fast bowler. Especially due to the lack of quality fast bowlers available for the 2nd phase of the IPL, he can be picked up on the basis of his performance in the PSL.

Punjab Kings’s overseas fast bowlers have failed to deliver. Saqib Mahmood might be a lucky charm for them & turn the tables around this year for them.

10. Chadwick Walton (Karachi Kings)

The 35-year-old Jamaican wicketkeeper-batsman may not have contributed hugely to the success of his team in the PSL, but his cameos down the order have made the difference in some of the matches.

He might not have age on his side, but he surely is athletic & strong enough to succeed in the IPL. His energy behind the stumps is infectious & often rubs onto the team. He can open the batting & take on the bowlers in the powerplay or can come down the order & flex his muscles to hit huge sixes.

Sunrisers Hyderabad will be a good fit for him as they can use him anywhere in the order according to the situation. The team can let him keep wickets as well & he might succeed.