The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) yesterday unveiled the player retention list for PSL 9 after all six franchises finalized their trades and player retentions.
The teams will not participate in PSL Draft to complete their squads, which is scheduled to take place on 13 December at National Cricket Academy, Lahore.
Some teams made the best of player retention and trade window, while some teams have to rebuild their teams from scratch during PSL Draft.
So let’s take a look at which teams made the worse and best player retentions for PSL 9.
Player retentions for PSL 9
Multan Sultans
Multan Sultans look weak on paper considering their player retentions, however, they have first picks in multiple categories and have a major advantage in PSL Draft.
It has to be seen how they shape-up their lineup for upcoming season but they need to make some smart picks to cover all bases.
They have two solid batters in Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed, supported by explosive Khushdil Shah but they need some quality batters to make a good side.
As far as bowling is concerned, they have young bowlers Abbas Afridi and Faisal Akram, who are great talents and can be handy in the upcoming season.
Ihsanullah and Usama Mir will be leading their pace and spin departments respectively.
Peshawar Zalmi
Zalmis have ensured to keep some exciting batting talents in their player retention list but they are weak on the bowling front.
Their top-order is bolstered with Babar Azam’s arrival in last season, supported by three most exciting young batters in Pakistan Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris and Haseebullah Khan.
Interestingly, two of them are wicket-keepers, which is a bonus as they do not need to go after any international keeper in PSL Draft.
They have retained only two bowling options in Aamir Jamal and Khurram Shahzad, so it would be interesting to see how they shape up after PSL Draft.
Karachi Kings
Karachi Kings’ will look like a different team than the one we are accustomed to as they let go of their skipper Imad Wasim (traded to Islamad United) and Mohammad Amir (released), who have been their major performers since the first edition.
Hasan Ali and Shan Masood have joined the Kings line-up, bringing wealth of experience with them, supported by experienced all-rounder Shoaib Malik.
James Vince and Tabraiz Shamsi are good retentions for Karachi Kings as they both are proven performers for Kings as well as at international stage.
However, it will be interesting to see how this new-look Karachi Kings look like after PSL Draft.
Lahore Qalandars
Defending champions Lahore Qalandars made sure that their core players remain with the team, except for the mind-boggling decision to release Fakhar Zaman.
Fakhar Zaman is one of the major cog for Lahore Qalandars since inaugural season, giving them quick starts from top.
Other than this one decision, they seemed to have all bases covered with a world class pace attack led by skipper Shaheen Afridi.
They retained three international all-rounders in David Weise, Sikandar Raza and Rashid Khan, who are proven match winners.
Quetta Gladiators
Gladiators have been struggling for last four season and looked to revamp their lineup for the season 9.
They elevated their head-coach Moin Khan to the position of Director cricket and roped in Shane Watson as head-coach.
Meanwhile they made two brilliant trade deals as they traded Naseem Shah for two exciting young talents (Mohammad Wasim Jnr and Abrar Ahmed), and gave away Iftikhar Ahmed for Rilee Rossouw.
However, they made two shocking decisions in retaining world-class all rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who is doubtful to get fit in time for PSL 9. On the other end, they released Mohammad Nawaz, who has been a mainstay of their team for last eight seasons.
Islamabad United
Islamabad United made the most of the trade window and player retentions with eight players covering all their bases.
They have two explosive international batters Alex Hales and Colin Munro in gold category, which is a masterstroke as they could have easily landed in Platinum category.
They traded last season’s Player of the match Imad Wasim and the pace sensation Naseem Shah, bolstering their pace and spin department.
Wasim will be supported by skipper Shadab Khan, who has been a mainstay for Islamabad United since inaugural season.
Meanwhile they have the most dangerous wicket-keeper batter in Pakistan – Azam Khan to keep their middle order fiery.
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