PSL 2018: List of players retained and released by the franchises

The preparations for the third edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) are already underway as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released the list of retained players. All the five franchises in the PSL were required to release 10 players, two in each category including foreigners to allow the new entrant Multan Sultans to sign on 10 players next week. However, the teams have decided to let go of some of the big names and have banked only on T20 specialists.

The tournament will feature six teams next year as the new franchise Multan has entered into the competition. Islamabad United won the inaugural edition whereas Peshawar Zalmi were crowned champions earlier this year. However, on both occasions, Quetta Gladiators led by Sarfraz Ahmed were at the receiving end and were the runners-up. They would love to go one step better next year and win the coveted trophy.

Here are the details of the players retained and released:

Karachi Kings

Karachi has surprised everyone by releasing some of the best players in T20 cricket. They have decided to part ways from the universal boss Chris Gayle, Kumar Sangakkara and Kieron Pollard. The most surprising exclusion though was of Shoaib Malik who has been a prolific performer in recent times for the national side in both ODIs and T20Is. However, they have signed Shahid Afridi and he is seen as the potential skipper for them in 2018.

Retained players: Shahid Afridi (Platinum), Mohammad Amir (Platinum), Imad Wasim (Diamond), Babar Azam (Diamond), Mohammad Rizwan (Gold), Ravi Bopara (Gold), Usman Shinwari (Silver), Usama Mir (Silver) and Khurram Manzoor (Silver)

Peshawar Zalmi

The defending champions have released Eoin Morgan, the England skipper, due to his limited availability during the tournament. Also the hero of the finals of the World T20 for West Indies, Marlon Samuels has been released along with Tamim Iqbal and Junaid Khan. However, they have retained some of the top players like Shakib Al Hasan, Darren Sammy and Hasan Ali.

Retained players: Mohammad Hafeez (Platinum), Wahab Riaz (Platinum), Shakib al Hasan (Diamond), Kamran Akmal (Diamond), Darren Sammy (Gold, Player Coach), Hasan Ali (Gold), Haris Sohail (Silver), Chris Jordan (Silver) and Mohammad Asghar (Silver)

Lahore Qalandars

Jason Roy’s poor form with the bat in the recent times has forced the franchise to release him along with Azhar Ali, Grant Elliott, and Sohail Tanvir. The controversial player Umar Akmal has been retained by them who has been suspended by PCB for his involvement in the verbal altercation with coach Mickey Arthur.

Retained players: Sunil Narine (Platinum), Umar Akmal (Platinum), Brendon McCullum (Diamond & Mentor), Fakhar Zaman (Diamond), Yasir Shah (Gold), Sohail Khan (Gold), Cameron Delport (Silver), Aamir Yamin (Silver) and Bilawal Bhatti (Silver)

Quetta Gladiators

The runners-up of the first two seasons have released opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad, pacer Umar Gul and middle-order batsman Luke Wright. Kevin Pietersen has managed to stay in the team but there is no word on Tymal Mills who performed exceptionally well for Quetta and was one of the most expensive players in the IPL.

Retained players: Sarfraz Ahmed (Platinum), Kevin Pietersen (Platinum), Rilee Rossouw (Diamond), Mahmudullah Riyad (Diamond), Asad Shafiq (Gold), Mohammad Nawaz (Gold), Anwar Ali (Silver), Mir Hamza (Silver) and Umar Amin (Silver)

Islamabad United

The franchise failed to defend their title in the last season and are now gunning to claim it again by retaining one of the best T20 players Andre Russell despite not appearing for them in the second edition. The players released by Islamabad franchise include Sam Billings, Shane Watson, Brad Hayden and Mohammad Irfan. Watson had played a key role for them in their triumph in 2016 but he is way past his best now.

Retained players: Andre Russell (Platinum), Misbah ul Haq (Platinum), Samuel Badree (Diamond), Mohammad Sami (Diamond), Rumman Raees (Gold, Ambassador), Shadab Khan (Gold), Iftikhar Ahmed (Silver), Amad Butt (Silver) and Asif Ali (Silver)

All released players will now be eligible for selection by the Multan Sultans, who will make their first appearance in the league in 2018. They will submit their picks on 10th October. Players who go un-selected at the expansion draft will join fresh entrants to this year’s player roster for the main draft.