Pakistan Super League set to trade players

By Jawad Hussain

KARACHI (TheSportsNEXT) June 23, 2016: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises are all set to bid farewell to some players and say welcome to many others as its players’ trade window has opened, the Express News reported Thursday.

Inaugural PSL Champions Islamabad United

   The first edition of PSL was held in February in the United Arab Emirates this year which proved a major blockbuster. Misbah-ul-Haq-led Islamabad United had defeated Sarfraz Ahmed-led Quetta Gladiators by six wickets to clinch the inaugural edition.

   After the successful inauguration, the five franchise owners are looking to reap in bigger profits by selecting the right combination for the second edition.

   According to local media reports, Shahid Khan Afridi and Shoaib Malik are unlikely to stay with their respective teams, i.e. Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings.

   The second edition of the PSL will also have five participating teams including Peshawar Zalmi, Islamabad United, Quetta Gladiators, Karachi Kings, and Lahore Qalandars. However, another team or two would be added in third PSL edition.

   The players’ trade and transfer window has opened during which players and franchises can select their teams and players, respectively.

   As per the reports, managements of Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi Kings, and Lahore Qalandars are not happy with their respective skippers Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, and Azhar Ali, and there are chances they would trade these players out. Even if these players are not traded, these franchises are unlikely to keep them as leaders.

   All-rounder Mohammad Hafeez is likely to join the Lahore Qalandars as their new captain, but according to PSL’s Faisal Mirza an agreement between Peshawar Zalmi and Lahore Qalandars is required before the transfer.

   In case, teams don’t find the agreement then the option of players’ drafting will come into play.