The curtain fell on the PSL 9 Draft in Lahore yesterday, marking the assembly of teams striving for that perfect blend. Yet, amid the buzz and fanfare, some astounding omissions left cricket aficionados in disbelief. Several renowned names, despite their recent prowess, surprisingly, remained on the shelves, awaiting a bid that never came.
Ahmed Shehzad
Ahmed Shehzad, the seasoned top-order batsman, had turned heads with his sterling performance in the National T20 Cup, amassing 344 runs at a remarkable average of 43 and a striking strike rate of 133.33. Despite the chatter and social media hype, no franchise extended their hand to acquire his services, a decision that left many scratching their heads in astonishment.
Sharjeel Khan
Sharjeel Khan, another aggressive opener, faced a similar fate. After being released by Karachi Kings pre-draft, the 34-year-old found himself without a bidder. Despite a stellar run in the Pakistan Cup, finishing as the third-highest run-scorer with 344 runs at a staggering average of 57.33, his subdued performance in the National T20 Cup seemed to overshadow his credentials, leaving him unsold.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the explosive Afghan top-order batter, also faced the unexpected outcome of remaining unpicked in the PSL 9 Draft. His ability to single-handedly shift the momentum of a game in just a few overs had many hoping for his recruitment. His past PSL performances for Multan Sultans and Islamabad United showcased his prowess, but the draft night offered no takers, leaving the cricketing world puzzled.
Qais Ahmed
Qais Ahmed, the 23-year-old leg-spinner, had a stint with Quetta Gladiators in the previous season. Despite being released for a lacklustre performance, his global franchise cricket experience seemed like a valuable asset. Notably, his stellar performance in the T10 League, topping the charts with 16 wickets in 9 games, made his unsold status in the PSL 9 Draft a head-scratcher for many.
While these notable absences surprised the cricketing fraternity, the teams remain robust, blending local talent with global stars to craft balanced line-ups for an enthralling PSL season ahead.
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