Organizers of Pakistan Super League Sunday announced some more top players, notably from England, will take part in the second edition of the Twenty20 league, making it more attractive and profitable.
Pakistan Cricket Board organized the first edition of the Super League in United Arab Emirates in February last year, announcing a profit of 2.6 million dollars. Five franchises took part in the two-week long event.
“PSL’s latest signings include England stars Moeen Ali, Jason Roy, Steve Finn, James Anderson, and Stuart Broad. South African Wayne Parnell and Kiwi all-rounder Anton Devcich are the other latest signings.
“They join Brendon McCullum, Eoin Morgan, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, and Albie Morkel as some of the other top signings this year.”
PCB said Moeen and Roy have agreed to play the league after talks during the ongoing one-day series between Pakistan and England.
“Both Moeen and Roy have played a key role in England’s resurgence in limited overs cricket. Although he has had a quiet series against Pakistan, Roys s explosive batting was at its brilliant best earlier in the summer against Sri Lanka.
“With a career strike rate of 144.23 in 123 T20 games, Jason Roy might upset a few bowlers if he makes it to a team at the HBL PSL Player Draft.
Moeen Ali, Wayne Parnell, and Anton Devcich are the latest all-rounders to take part.
“The signing is another addition to a successful year for Parnell who not only made a comeback to the South African side but also excelled in South Africa’s domestic T20 cricket where he scored 237 runs with a strike rate of 133.14.”
“Alongwith ICC WT20 stars Kieron Pollard, and Albie Morkel, the latest signings now present an interesting selection dilemma for all five teams going into the Player Draft.
“Also on the player roster are seasoned England pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Both Anderson and Broad are among the top 4 bowlers in Test cricket and have cut down on international white ball cricket for workload management.
Sharing his thoughts on the new signings, Chairman PSL Najam Sethi said: “I am particularly excited looking at our list of all-rounders for PSL 2. All five franchises are now evaluating their options because all-rounders are an important part of modern-day cricket and the options are world-class.
“All our efforts are now geared towards ensuring the success of HBL PSL 2.”
The Player Draft for HBL PSL 2 is set to take place in the month of October. The draft order will follow the principle of placing the bottom-placed team from the previous year at an advantage.
Consequently, Lahore Qalandars will have the first pick in every round. Karachi Kings will have the second pick, Peshawar Zalmi third, Quetta Gladiators fourth, and Islamabad United will make the final pick in every round.
PCB hopes a bigger and better PSL 2 is set to return to action in February 2017.