PSL 10 draft 'likely' to be staged in Karachi, Lahore

Overseas matches ruled out as PCB prepares to stage PSL draft for season 10 on January 11

By Sohail Imran
|
December 17, 2024
A representational image of the setup of PSL 2022. — PCB/File

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to stage the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 draft next month, with sources indicating that Karachi or Lahore are the most likely venues.

Scheduled for January 11, the event will officially kick off preparations for the landmark 10th edition of the league.

While there were discussions in a recent meeting about hosting the draft abroad, officials ultimately decided it was not the right time for such a move. Instead, they deemed it more suitable to hold the event on home soil.

Additionally, it has been confirmed that all PSL matches will be held in Pakistan, despite earlier deliberations about staging a few games overseas.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officially opened the registration window for overseas players to offer their availability for the upcoming season on Thursday.

Category renewals for the upcoming edition will be announced on Tuesday, while the relegation process and player retention will take place this month.

PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer expressed his excitement over the opening of the overseas players’ registration and trade window.

“We are thrilled to announce the opening of the registration process for foreign players as well as the trade window. This marks an exciting beginning to preparations for the highly anticipated 10th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League,” said Naseer.

He further highlighted the league's growth since its inception in 2016, saying: “The HBL PSL is a home-grown brand which we are all proud of. Together with our franchise owners, commercial partners, and stakeholders, we have embarked on a long and successful journey."

"The quality and competitiveness of cricket played is second to none, and we will strive to meet the expectations of our loyal fans. The landmark 10th season promises to bring more excitement, and the HBL PSL team is committed to working tirelessly to provide fans unmatched experiences,” he added,emphasising its status as a leading cricket competition.

Since its inception, Islamabad United have been the most successful franchise, securing three titles.

Lahore Qalandars follow closely with two titles, while Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Karachi Kings, and Multan Sultans have each won the tournament once.