The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released the preliminary list of 144 foreign players from 14 countries for the gold category of the fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
In this list released by PCB, there are 48 from England, 40 from West Indies, 19 from Sri Lanka, 10 from Bangladesh, 6 from Afghanistan, 4 from Australia and New Zealand, 4 from Ireland, South Africa and 3 from Zimbabwe. 3, while Canada, the Netherlands, Scotland and one player each from the United States are included.
Prominent foreign players included in the gold category include Afghanistan’s Gulbuddin Naib, Hazratullah Zazai and Mohammad Shahzad, Australia’s Ben Duckett, Bangladesh’s Mehdi Hasan, Mossadegh Hussain and Tasin Ahmed, England’s Chris Wood, Jade Dernbach, Jamie Overton, Joy Clarke, Rhys Topley, Samit Patel and Saqib Mahmood are included.
Ireland’s Paul Sterling, Kevin O’Brien including New Zealand’s Anton Deutch and Jitin Patel, South Africa’s Vernon Philander and Wayne Parnell and Sri Lanka’s Avishka Fernando, Rajapaksa, Dinesh Chandimala, Lahiru Thirimane, Lahiru Kumara, Naveen Pradeep, Siringa Along with Lakmal and Opal Tharanga, West Indies’ Andre Fletcher, Dwayne Smith, and Kieran Powell, Zimbabwe’s James Taylor, Kyle Geros and Alexander Zha are also named.
The list of 325 local players in the Gold, Silver and Emerging categories includes those who performed best in the First XI, Second XI and Under-19 tournaments in the national domestic season, with at least 2 emerging cricketers in each franchise’s 16-member squad. Those whose age cannot be more than 23 years will be included.
Among the local players included in the gold category are Abid Ali, Adnan Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Asad Ali, Owais Zia, Azhar Ali, Bilal Asif, Bilawal Bhatti, Ehsan Adil, Fawad Alam, Imran Farhat, Imran Khan Sr., Imran Nazir, Khurram Manzoor, The names of Mansoor Amjad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Talha, Mukhtar Ahmad, Nouman Anwar, Raza Hassan, Saad Naseem, Sami Aslam, Sharjeel Khan (subject to rehab program), Umar Gul, Usman Salahuddin and Zulfiqar Babar are there.
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**Interview with Maryam Khan, Cricket Analyst and Journalist**
**Editor:** Welcome, Maryam! The Pakistan Cricket Board has just released a preliminary list of 144 foreign players for the gold category of the PSL. What are your initial thoughts on this announcement?
**Maryam Khan:** Thank you for having me! I think this announcement is very exciting for both the league and fans of cricket worldwide. It reflects the growing popularity of the PSL and its ability to attract top talent from various countries.
**Editor:** The list includes a significant number of players from England and the West Indies. What do you think this indicates about the league’s appeal?
**Maryam Khan:** Absolutely. With 48 players from England and 40 from the West Indies, it’s clear that these countries recognize the PSL as a competitive platform. England, in particular, has been focusing on T20 leagues globally, and the West Indies have a rich history in T20 cricket. Their participation not only boosts the league’s quality but also enhances its visibility and marketing appeal.
**Editor:** There are also players from as far as Canada, the Netherlands, and even the United States. How important is this diversity for the PSL?
**Maryam Khan:** It’s vital! This diversity brings different playing styles and strategies that can elevate the competition. Moreover, including players from countries with emerging cricket markets expands the PSL’s global footprint and encourages the growth of cricket in those regions. It’s a win-win situation that fosters a greater love for the game.
**Editor:** With the number of foreign players increasing, how do you think this will affect local talent in Pakistan?
**Maryam Khan:** That’s a great question. While the influx of foreign players can overshadow local talent in the short term, it’s also an opportunity for young Pakistani players to learn and grow. Playing alongside and against international stars can accelerate their development and prepare them for higher levels of competition. Ideally, the PSL should strike a balance between foreign and local players to ensure a robust domestic cricket framework.
**Editor:** Lastly, what should fans look forward to in this upcoming season of the PSL?
**Maryam Khan:** Fans can expect some thrilling matches featuring a blend of experience and youthful exuberance. The high-caliber foreign players will undoubtedly raise the stakes, leading to exciting cricket. I also anticipate strong marketing initiatives showing the league’s cultural and competitive spirit. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic season!
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Maryam! We appreciate your time.
**Maryam Khan:** Thank you! Always a pleasure to discuss cricket!