PSL 2020: PCB announces the initial list for the upcoming Draft

Even though Pakistan have struggled both as a cricketing side and host, its T20 tournament has earned a good name. A number of internationally acclaimed players have regularly taken part in the tournament and on Wednesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released an initial list of Platinum players for the PSL’s fifth edition scheduled next year.

While former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has chosen to skip this year’s edition, his former mate Dale Steyn has registered for the same, for the first time. He is among 28 international names and is expected to be a major crowd puller although he has quit Test cricket in August. If picked, Steyn will be touring Pakistan for the first time since playing a couple of Tests in 2007.

Although Steyn is well past his prime, yet the PSL fans will not miss the duel between him and the likes of Babar Azam, currently Pakistan’s T20I captain and also the format’s No.1 batsman. The duo has had an absorbing rivalry in recent times in the Test arena. Last year, during Pakistan’s tour of South Africa, Babar belted Steyn for 16 fours in just 66 balls.

The window of registration for the foreign players will be open till November 21 after which an updated list will be released. The 2020 edition of the PSL is set to be played entirely in Pakistan.

“Cricket means the world to Pakistani fans and I am excited that I will get to be a part of the HBL Pakistan Super League draft pool,” an elated Steyn said, according to Pakistan’s Business Recorder.

Amla, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid also in the list

Besides Steyn, former South Africa cricketer Hashim Amla has also been picked in the list of 28 besides some members of England’s World Cup-winning squad this year — Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, and Jason Roy. Amla played on Pakistan soil in 2017 when he was part of the ICC World XI that played a three-T20I series. For Moeen and Rashid, it will be the first time if chosen. Roy has played in the PSL earlier.

“I am very excited that I am going to be a part of such an incredible pool of players for the HBL PSL Player Draft. On the circuit, players talk about the quality cricket that they have experienced playing in the HBL PSL and I can’t wait to be a part of it,” said Moeen.

Of the 28 cricketers in the list coming from eight nations, seven are from England, six from South Africa, five from the West Indies, three each from Afghanistan and Australia, two from Sri Lanka and one from Nepal and New Zealand each.

The preliminary foreign player Platinum pool for #HBLPSL Player Draft 2019 is here! More names coming soon. Who else do you want to see in action?

Details: https://t.co/3l0XahQ2iA pic.twitter.com/NEmIvN1tO4

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) November 13, 2019