New Zealand all-rounder signs up for PSL draft

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) announced on Thursday that New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell has signed up for the highly-anticipated player draft for the league's 10th edition.

The announcement was made on PSL’s social media platforms with a banner and the caption, "Michael Bracewell, ready to bring the Kiwi spirit to the PSL Draft."

Bracewell, a 33-year-old batting all-rounder, has been a key player for New Zealand in T20Is. In 27 matches, he has scored 259 runs at an impressive strike rate of 129.50, including two half-centuries. With the ball, he has taken 28 wickets at an average of 18.28 and an economy rate of 6.93.

His franchise league experience adds to his credentials. Bracewell has previously played in Major League Cricket, the Vitality Blast, and the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

Bracewell is the seventh New Zealand player and the 29th foreign player to register for the PSL 10 draft. This year's draft is particularly special as it will be held in Balochistan for the first time, with Gwadar set to host the event on January 11, 2025.

The draft pick order has also been revealed. Two-time champions Lahore Qalandars will have the first pick in the platinum category, followed by their arch-rivals Karachi Kings. The 2019 champions Quetta Gladiators will pick third, with Peshawar Zalmi making the fourth pick. Last season’s runners-up Multan Sultans and reigning champions Islamabad United will make the fifth and sixth picks, respectively.

The list of registered foreign players for the draft includes big names like Mark Chapman, Jason Holder, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Chris Lynn, Adam Milne, David Warner, Tim Southee, Martin Guptill, Rassie van der Dussen, Matthew Short, Alex Hales, Usman Khawaja, Rilee Rossouw, Colin Munro, and Shakib Al Hasan, among others.