Roy, Steyn highlight PSL5 player draft

The HBL PSL 2020 will be staged in Pakistan with action set to start in February 2020

PHOTO: Reuters

The Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Pakistan Super League (PSL) draft was held at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore today ahead of the fifth edition in 2020. All franchises were keen on making the most of this opportunity by assembling the best possible squads.

England’s opener Jason Roy, who was part of the 2019 World Cup winning squad, joined Quetta Gladiators as the first pick of the day, while Australia’s hard-hitting batsman Chris Lynn was bagged by Lahore Qalandars in the platinum round.

Karachi Kings grabbed the spotlight by picking England’s opener Alex Hales and Pakistan’s returning opener Sharjeel Khan. The two players have not been active for a considerable time and will be the wildcards who can provide considerable batting firepower.

Multan Sultans’ top pick of the day was England’s all-rounder Moeen Ali while Islamabad United chose veteran pacer Dale Steyn to bolster their pace battery for the upcoming edition of the league.

Islamabad United were also successful in roping in South Africa’s hard-hitting batsman Colin Ingram while Multan Sultans’ bagged his fellow South African Rilee Rossouw.

COMPLETE SQUADS

KARACHI KINGS

Imad Wasim to lead Karachi Kings in PSL5#HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/XEqSjlkS6h
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

MULTAN SULTANS

How do you rate Multan Sultans squad?#HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/F0VFj3rh0U
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

PESHAWAR ZALMI

Complete squad of Peshawar Zalmi#HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/3o0HG21fJv
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

QUETTA GLADIATORS

Complete squad of reigning champions Quetta Gladiators#HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/4QXZqR8eic
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

LAHORE QALANDARS

Sohail Akhtar will lead Lahore Qalandars this season#HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/1bcxqKMm2O
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

ISLAMABAD UNITED

Complete squad of Islamabad United #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/315r2FXvd0
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

LIVE BLOG

That was a fasinating experience and we hope you enjoyed our coverage. Until next time, goodbye!

AWAIS ZIA IS THE LAST PICK FOR KARACHI KINGS IN THE SUPPLEMENTARY ROUND

Awais Zia is the last pick of the night

He goes to Karachi Kings#HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

SOUTH AFRICA'S VAN DER DUSSEN GETS PICKED BY ISLAMABAD UNITED

LAHORE QALANDARS CHOOSE DILBAR HUSSAIN AS THEIR FINAL PICK IN THE SUPPLEMENTARY ROUND

HAIDER ALI GETS PICKED BY PESHAWAR ZALMI

Haider Ali is picked by Peshawar Zalmi#HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

THE FIERY BILAWAL BHATTI MOVES TO MULTAN SULTANS

QUETTA GLADIATORS CHOOSE KHURRAM MANZOOR IN THE SUPPLEMENTARY CATEGORY

Khurram Manzoor gets a PSL gig with Quetta Gladiators#HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

PAKISTAN'S SAIF BADAR GOES TO ISLAMABAD UNITED

All-rounder Saif Badar will represent Islamabad United#HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

LAHORE QALANDARS BAG WEST INDIES BATSMAN LENDL SIMMONS

Lendl Simmons picked by Lahore Qalandars#HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

KEEMO PAUL IS QUETTA GLADIATORS SUPPLEMENTARY ROUND PICK

Guyanese fast bowler Keemo Paul gets drafted by @TeamQuetta in supplementary category.

LIVE:https://t.co/hsh0jMvTyM #HBLPSL #HBLPSLDraft2019
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 6, 2019

PESHAWAR ZALMI OPT FOR LIAM LIVINGSTONE

Liam Livingstone joins Peshawar Zalmi #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

IMRAN TAHIR RETURNS TO MULTAN SULTANS

LOOK WHOSE BACK?!?! 👀👀👀#PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/C7gsctR1T9
— Multan Sultans (@MultanSultans) December 6, 2019

KARACHI PICK ENGLANDS'S PACER LIAM PLUNKETT

We now move on to the supplementary round!

QUETTA GLADIATORS CHOOSE AZAM KHAN IN THE EMERGING CATEGORY

#EmergingCategory

Back in #PurpleForce !! #Azam Khan to continue as a Gladiator!!#WeTheGladiators #HBLPSLDraft2019 pic.twitter.com/F4VDYvmofz
— Quetta Gladiators (@TeamQuetta) December 6, 2019

PESHAWAR BAG ALL-ROUNDER AAMIR ALI

AHMED SAFI ABDULLAH MOVES TO ISLAMABAD UNITED

📣 Emerging Category
Round 2; we have picked Ahmed Safi Abdullah!!!

Welcome to #ISLUFamily Ahmed 🔥🔥 #HBLPSLDraft2019 #RedHotSquad pic.twitter.com/KtJACmcGcY
— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) December 6, 2019

LAHORE QALANDARS BAG MOHAMMAD FAIZAN

ISLAMABAD UNITED PICK LEFT-ARM PACER AKIF JAVED

KARACHI KINGS CHOOSE ARSHAD IQBAL IN THE EMERGING PLAYERS ROUND

AMIR KHAN FROM SWAT GETS PICKED BY PESHAWAR ZALMI

Amir Khan, a Fast Bowler from Swat is picked up by Peshawar Zalmi In Emerging Category ⚡#PSLDrafts #YellowStormReturns #HumZalmi pic.twitter.com/ssatmkcIa9
— PeshawarZalmi (@PeshawarZalmi) December 6, 2019

QUETTA GLADIATORS CHOOSE AARISH KHAN IN THE EMERGING PLAYERS ROUND

MULTAN SULTANS OPT FOR WICKETKEEPER-BATSMAN ROHAIL NAZIR

It is now time for the emerging players category!

JAAHID ALI GOES TO LAHORE QALANDARS AS THE SILVER ROUND CONTINUES

KARACHI KINGS BAGS UNITED STATES (US) PACER ALI KHAN

ADIL AMIN GOES TO PESHAWAR ZALMI

MULTAN SULTANS OPT FOR FABIAN ALLEN AS THEIR SILVER ROUND PICK

Fabian Allen is part of Multan Sultans now#HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

PESHAWAR ZALMI GO WITH DWAINE PRETORIUS AS THE SILVER ROUND CONTINUES

LAHORE QALANDARS BAG IN FARZAN RAJA

KARACHI KINGS PICK ENGLAND’S DAN LAWRENCE

A SURPRISE PICK FOR QUETTA GLADIATORS AS THEY OPT FOR ABDUL NASIR IN THE SILVER ROUND

Abdul Nasir from Quetta is picked by @TeamQuetta in the silver category.

LIVE:https://t.co/hsh0jMeiac #HBLPSL #HBLPSLDraft2019
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 6, 2019

The Yellow Storm is rising.

SHOAIB MALIK😍😍😍

Pakistan's Former Captain and Specialist T20 All-Rounder joins the YELLOW STORM⚡#PSLDraft #HumZalmi pic.twitter.com/bTsDqISVAx
— PeshawarZalmi (@PeshawarZalmi) December 6, 2019

QUETTA GLADIATORS BAG ENGLAND'S PACER TYMAL MILLS

Tymal Mills joins the reigning champions Quetta Gladiators

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/kVuFAnbTex
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

LEG-SPINNER USMAN QADIR HAS BEEN ROPED IN BY MULTAN SULTANS

Multan Sultans grabs Usman Qadir

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/gxsVim5NZ3
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

KARACHI KINGS PICKS UMAID ASIF

'Iron Man' Umaid Asif goes to Karachi Kings

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/tzWsuWpvZb
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

PESHAWAR ZALMI STOCK UP ON PACERS WITH RAHAT ALI IN THE SILVER ROUND

Rahat Ali is picked by Peshawar Zalmi

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/ObffOxRv0N
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

LAHORE QALANDARS PICK AUSTRALIA'S WICKETKEEPER-BATSMAN BEN DUNK

Ben Dunk goes to Lahore Qalandars

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/Y83Nh2OTDn
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

Mohammad Mohsin is excited to participate in the PSL5.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW !!

Muhammad Mohsin the promising leg spinner picked by Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 5 Drafts expresses his happiness on being given this opportunity!!#PSLDraft #HumZalmi #YellowStormReturns pic.twitter.com/k4xv0SxhQg
— PeshawarZalmi (@PeshawarZalmi) December 6, 2019

ISLAMABAD UNITED OPT FOR ZAFAR GOHAR

Islamabad United getting all their players back as they pick Zafar Gohar

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/IGIF0auuaN
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

ANOTHER RETURN, AS MOHAMMAD RIZWAN IS BAGGED BY KARACHI KINGS IN THE SILVER ROUND

Mohammad Rizwan also returns to Karachi Kings

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/avb392NnMF
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

ENGLAND'S PHIL SALT RETURNS TO ISLAMABAD UNITED

Phil Salt is also back with Islamabad United

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/rDz1Vh3X3d
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

LAHORE QALANDARS CHOOSE SRI LANKA'S SEEKKUGE PRASANNA AS THE SILVER ROUND CONTINUES

Sri Lankan All-rounder Seekkuge Prasanna has been picked by Lahore Qalandars

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/iiIlip3f3w
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

THE HARD-HITTING KHUSHDIL SHAH WILL BE PART OF THE MULTAN SULTANS

Khushdil Shah will be part of Multan Sultans

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/yd73d0TVbD
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

PESHAWAR ZALMI ROPE IN SPINNER MOHAMMAD MOHSIN IN THE SILVER ROUND

All-rounder from Sawat, Mohammad Mohsin gets drafted by @PeshawarZalmi in the silver category.

LIVE:https://t.co/hsh0jMvTyM #HBLPSL #HBLPSLDraft2019
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 6, 2019

SOHAIL KHAN WILL NOW BE A PART OF THE QUETTA GLADIATORS CAMP

Quetta Gladiators choose pacer Sohail Khan

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/50nLQMr0bT
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

Islamabad United promoting their ace pacer on social media.

DALE STYEN, naam to suna ho ga! 😉#HBLPSLDraft2019 #RedHotSquad https://t.co/KBWQCn5riX pic.twitter.com/071BMX0Oa4
— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) December 6, 2019

WE NOW MOVE TO THE SILVER ROUND!

Pakistan's T20I captain will play as the vice-captain of the Karachi Kings franchise. Some people are not happy with the decision.

Shocking Decision From Karchi Kings to Name Imad Wasim as Captain Again 🙏🏼🤦‍♂️

Babar Azam Is Our National Team Captain ( T20 ) & He Should've Been the Captain no Matter What !

Thats not Good at all 😊#HBLPSLDraft2019 #HBLPSL5 #PSLDraft
— CricketLover (@ManiTweets14) December 6, 2019

Some might not be as excited as the majority of fans around Pakistan.

Lol 😆 our head coach is already tired 😫. #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/gSlBBD5trE
— Muneeb🇵🇰 (@IamMuneebLali) December 6, 2019

Is this the best pick of the draft?

World Cup winner Jason Roy joins PSL winner Quetta Gladiators. He is the first pick in the draft for PSL 2020. Quetta fans be like THAND PAY GAYI EY. #PSLDraft #PSL5
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) December 6, 2019

Is Pakistan ready for Chris Lynn?

Chris Lynn is a Qalandar 💚🖤

Pakistan ain't ready for that 🔥#PSLDraft #PSL5 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/clQCkmqeih
— IBRAHIM (@ibrahimyounaspk) December 6, 2019

England's rising star was in demand. Great pick.

Tom Banton got picked before our turn 💔😢#PSL5
— Ali Khan Tareen (@aliktareen) December 6, 2019

Quetta Gladiators seem to be getting things right.

Shane Watson and Jason Roy as openers followed by Ahsan Ali and Umar Akmal - This makes a bombastic top order for Quetta Gladiators. Ahmad Shahzad is also in the squad but in presence of Watson/Roy, Ahmad doesn't seem to be preferred at first option now.#PSL5
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) December 6, 2019

Some banter along the way.

Mani: Phir agaye? Buhot himmat hai bhai tum mein pic.twitter.com/4ZGeGdIAV4
— Alvina. (@AlvinaAhmedS) December 6, 2019

KARACHI KINGS CHOOSE CAMERON DELPORT IN THE GOLD ROUND

Cameron Delport goes to Karachi Kings

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/bvBBqljdMA
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

QUETTA GLADIATORS CHOOSE AUSTRALIA'S FAWAD AHMED IN THE GOLD ROUND

Fawad Ahmed also returns to Gladiators for another season#HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/ugJFZ9Ce0p
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

PESHAWAR ZALMI CHOOSE ENGLAND'S LIAM DAWSON IN THE GOLD ROUND

Liam Dawson is back with Peshawar Zalmi

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/P7kfwFLhGe
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

KARACHI KINGS CHOOSE PAKISTAN'S OPENER SHARJEEL KHAN IN THE GOLD ROUND

Sharjeel Khan is BACK and will play for Karachi Kings

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/IefdeoznCd
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

MULTAN SULTANS CHOOSE PAKISTAN'S SOHAIL TANVIR IN THE GOLD ROUND

Multans Sultans select left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/A1PjOp5JMw
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

ISLAMABAD UNITED CHOOSE FAST-BOWLER RUMMAN RAEES IN THE GOLD ROUND

Rumman Raees returns to Islamabad United

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/DMJgaHZyGh
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

LAHORE QALANDARS CHOOSE ENGLAND'S SAMIT PATEL IN THE GOLD ROUND

Another England all-rounder gets a gig in PSL

Samit Patel goes to Lahore Qalandars

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 #PSLDraft pic.twitter.com/Vhw7M0XAZ1
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

PESHAWAR ZALMI CHOOSE PAKISTAN'S ALL-ROUNDER SHOAIB MALIK

FINALLY

Shoaib Malik will be part of Peshawar Zalmi this season

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 pic.twitter.com/nhNMdQ9AJU
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

MULTAN SULTANS CHOOSE ENGLAND'S ALL-ROUNDER RAVI BOPARA

All-rounder Ravi Bopara joins Multan Sultans

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 pic.twitter.com/jkX8r9EnAf
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

MULTAN SULTANS CHOOSE ZEESHAN ASHRAF AS THEIR WILD CARD PICK

📢 FIRST WILD CARD ENTRY@MultanSultans opted for Left-hand batsman from Okara, Zeeshan Ashraf.

LIVE:https://t.co/hsh0jMvTyM #HBLPSL #HBLPSLDraft2019 pic.twitter.com/z3Y3FQvSPr
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 6, 2019

An interesting pick coming up?

Watch out for an interesting Diamond pick. A real diamond in the rough. 💎 #PSL5
— Ali Khan Tareen (@aliktareen) December 6, 2019

QUETTA GLADIATORS CHOOSE AUSTRALIA'S ALL-ROUNDER BEN CUTTING IN THE DIAMOND ROUND

Quetta Gladiators pick Ben Cutting #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 pic.twitter.com/wIRcSaynul
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

KARACHI KINGS CHOOSE ENGLAND'S CHRIS JORDAN IN THE DIAMOND ROUND

Chris Jordan joins Karachi Kings#HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 pic.twitter.com/9rY4kfKWde
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

ISLAMABAD UNITED CHOOSE NEW ZEALAND'S COLIN MUNRO IN THE DIAMOND ROUND

Islamabad United opt for Kiwi batsman Colin Munro#HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 pic.twitter.com/TjEkvWO0xB
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

PESHAWAR ZALMI CHOOSE ENGLAND'S RISING T20 STAR TOM BANTON IN THE DIAMOND ROUND

Peshawar Zalmi grabs hard-hitting batsman Tom Banton

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 pic.twitter.com/KZP7aQGLP7
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

THE DIAMOND ROUND BEGINS!

MULTAN SULTANS CHOOSE RILEE ROSSOUW

Rilee Rossouw to turn up for Multan Sultans #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 pic.twitter.com/o9XDPR5tnF
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

ISLAMABAD UNITED CHOOSE SOUTH AFRICA'S COLIN INGRAM

Colin Ingram will play for Islamabad United this season#HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 pic.twitter.com/iTroaluVvh
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

KARACHI KINGS CHOOSE ENGLAND'S ALEX HALES AS THEIR PLATINUM PICK

Karachi ka king kaun? Alex Hales 👑

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 pic.twitter.com/CzNTOu51zW
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

ISLAMABAD UNITED CHOOSE SOUTH AFRICA'S DALE STEYN AS THEIR PLATINUM PICK

Islamabad United goes for the express pace of Dale Steyn as their platinum pick#HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 pic.twitter.com/Hbaay5Y6fM
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

MULTAN SULTANS CHOOSE ENGLAND'S MOEEN ALI AS THEIR PLATINUM PICK

Moeen Ali is part of Multan Sultans now

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 pic.twitter.com/JrVZeehPbe
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

LAHORE QALANDARS CHOOSE AUSTRALIA'S CHRIS LYNN AS THEIR PLATINUM PICK

Lahore Qalandars go for Chris Lynn as their platinum pick

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 pic.twitter.com/CVK1KwdghP
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

QUETTA GLADIATORS CHOOSE ENGLAND BATSMAN JASON ROY AS THEIR FIRST PLATINUM PICK

Quetta Gladiators select Jason Roy as their first Platinum pick

Follow live: https://t.co/7Pq8TmiGzD #HBLPSLDraft2019 #PSL5 pic.twitter.com/pnjVZ0bmYT
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

Formalities out of the way, here we go!

THE FRANCHISE OWNERS ARE ON THE STAGE!

#HBLPSL Family 😍😍😍#HBLPSLDraft2019 pic.twitter.com/qOHq0Q5ZGY
— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) December 6, 2019

PCB CEO Wasim Khan: “You can’t really measure passion. PSL delivers far more beyond the imagination. We have been really busy getting everything ready. We know the quality of cricket is going to be great.”

PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani: “Today we set the tone for HBL PSL 2020. The PSL is a source of pride for the entire nation. It belongs to all of us. All the franchise owners are stakeholders in the PSL, without them we are nothing. For me the biggest stakeholders are the fans. This will inspire a whole new generation of young stars who will get to witness their heroes in action.”

"Sarfaraz Ahmed is our captain for unlimited period of time," said Quetta Gladiatiors owner Nadeem Omer.

Multan Sultans have announced the appointment of former batsman Andrew Flower, a World T20 winning coach as their new Head Coach.

📢 We are proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Andrew Flower, a World T20 winning coach as our new Head Coach!#PSLDraft #PSL5 pic.twitter.com/7XaT4hxLeO
— Multan Sultans (@MultanSultans) December 6, 2019

Lahore Qalandars Owner Fawad Rana: “Today is a big day for us. I would like to congratulate the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Prime Minister Imran Khan. I am grateful to the fans who have always supported us.”

Karachi Kings Director Salman Iqbal: “The biggest news is that all the matches in this edition of the league will be held in Pakistan. Fans will be able to witness all the action. Imad Wasim will lead the side while Babar Azam will be the vice-captain. We will try to pick the best team. Imad is a great captain. It is not mandatory that the captain of the Pakistan side leads the franchise as well.”

Peshawar Zalmi Owner Javed Afridi: “The dream we had four years ago is about to become true. The return of cricket to the country is a source of happiness for all. Many fans of the franchise ask me why there are not more players from the KPK region in the franchise. I do not want to talk about regions. All players are Pakistanis.”

Karachi Kings have retained all-rounder Imad Wasim as captain. Prolific batsman Babar Azam will serve as the vice-captain for the franchise.

Karachi Kings have retained Imad Wasim as their captain

Babar Azam will be his deputy

What do you make of this decision? 🤔

📷@therealpcb #HBLPSLDraft2019 pic.twitter.com/51Nk97WsTY
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 6, 2019

Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Pakistan Super League (PSL) Player Draft pick order for the 2020 season was announced on November 4 following the first-round pick order reveal on November 3.

The first round picks were revealed through the depiction of an age-old street cricket tradition involving the cricket bat.

Reigning HBL PSL champions Quetta Gladiators have the first pick, Lahore Qalandars second, Multan Sultans third, two-time former champions Islamabad United fourth, former champions Peshawar Zalmi got the fifth while Karachi Kings had to settle for the sixth and final pick in the order determined using the cricket bat method.

A specially-designed statistical model was used to decide the pick order for the remaining 17 rounds of the Draft.

As part of this year’s Draft policy, each team can retain up to eight players from last year’s roster. The requirement for teams to pick five foreign players in a squad of 16 players remains unchanged from the previous editions of the HBL PSL.

Following is the complete list of players retained and released by the franchises:

Karachi Kings

Players retained - Babar Azam, Mohammad Amir (both Platinum), Imad Wasim (Diamond as Brand Ambassador), Iftikhar Ahmed (Diamond), Aamir Yamin (Gold), Usama Mir (Silver) and Umer Khan (Emerging)

Players released - Aaron Summers, Abrar Ahmed, Ali Imran, Awais Zia, Ben Dunk, Colin Ingram, Colin Munro, Jaahid Ali, Liam Livingstone, Mohammad Rizwan, Ravi Bopara, Sikander Raza, Sohail Khan and Usman Shinwari (transferred to Lahore Qalandars)

Lahore Qalandars

Players retained - Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez (both Platinum), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Diamond as Brand Ambassador), David Wiese, Usman Shinwari (Diamond, Usman transferred from Karachi Kings), Haris Rauf, Sohail Akhtar (both Gold), Salman Butt (Silver).

Players released - AB de Villiers (not available in 2020), Agha Salman, Aizaz Cheema, Anton Devcich, Asela Gunaratne, Brendan Taylor, Carlos Brathwaite, Corey Anderson (not available in 2020), Gohar Ali, Hardus Viljoen, Haris Sohail, Hassan Khan, Mohammad Imran, Rahat Ali, Riki Wessels, Ryan ten Doeschate (not available in 2020), Saad Ali, Sandeep Lamichhane, Umair Masood, Yasir Shah

Quetta Gladiators

Players retained – Mohammad Nawaz, Sarfaraz Ahmed (both Platinum), Shane Watson (Diamond as Player Mentor), Ahmed Shehzad (Diamond), Umar Akmal (Gold as Brand Ambassador), Mohammad Hasnain (Gold), Ahsan Ali and Naseem Shah (Silver)

Players released - Anwar Ali, Danish Aziz, Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith, Fawad Ahmed, Ghulam Mudassar, Harry Gurney, Jalat Khan, Max Waller, Mohammad Asghar, Mohammad Azam Khan, Mohammad Irfan Jr, Rilee Rossouw, Saud Shakil and Sohail Tanvir

Peshawar Zalmi

Players retained – Hasan Ali, Kieron Pollard, Wahab Riaz (all Platinum), Kamran Akmal (Diamond as Brand Ambassador), Daren Sammy (Gold as Player Mentor) Imam-ul-Haq (Gold) and Umar Amin (Silver)

Players released - Andre Fletcher, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Ibtesam Sheikh, Jamal Anwar, Khalid Usman, Lendl Simmons, Liam Dawson, Misbah-ul-Haq (not available in 2020), Nabi Gul, Sameen Gul, Samiullah, Sohaib Maqsood, Tymal Mills, Umaid Asif, Waqar Salamkheil and Wayne Madsen

Multan Sultans

Players retained - Shahid Afridi (Diamond as Mentor), James Vince (Gold as Brand Ambassador), Mohammad Irfan (Platinum), Junaid Khan (Gold), Shan Masood (Silver), Ali Shafiq (Silver), Mohammad Ilyas (Emerging).

Players released - Andre Russell, Steve Smith (both not available), Chris Green, Dan Christian, Hammad Azam, Joe Denly, J Charles, Laurie Evans, Irfan Khan, M Abbas, M Junaid, N Pooran, Numan Ali, Qais Ahmed, Shakeel Ansar, Shoaib Malik, Tom Moores and Umar Siddiq

Islamabad United

Players retained - Shadab Khan (Platinum), Faheem Ashraf (Diamond as Brand Ambassador), Asif Ali (Diamond), Luke Ronchi (Gold as Mentor), Hussain Talat (Gold), Ammad Butt (Silver), Musa Khan (Silver), Rizwan Hussain (Silver)

Players released - Alex Hales, Cameron Delport, Chadwick Walton, Ian Bell, Mohammad Sami, Nasir Nawaz, Philip Salt, Rumman Raees, Sahibzada Farhan, Samit Patel, Waqas Maqsood, Wayne Parnell, Zafar Gohar and Zahir Khan

In addition, teams will be allowed to pick two supplementary players out of which one can be a foreign player.

However teams will have a chance to field a minimum of three and a maximum of four foreign players in the XI.

HBL PSL have introduced the wildcard pick rule for the 2020 season. A wildcard pick enables teams to pick players from Silver or Gold in the Diamond category round or, alternatively, a player from Silver in the Gold category round at the Draft. Each team will be allowed to exercise one wildcard pick at the Draft and bump-up a player accordingly.

The HBL PSL 2020 will be staged in Pakistan with action set to start in February 2020.