MLC 2024: Rashid, Klaasen, Pooran, Boult among 23 overseas retentions

Major League Cricket (MLC) has announced named 23 players who have been retained for the second edition of the league. The second season is set to commence on July 4, 2024, just four days after the completion of the T20 World Cup, which is being co-hosting by the USA and the West Indies. The league has found a suitable window between the World Cup and The Hundred. Also, top international sides like Australia, New Zealand, England, and Pakistan won't be having any white-ball assignments during that time and that would allow players from those countries to participate in the league.

The defending champions MI New York have retained their core players - Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Dewald Brevis, and Tim David in the batting department, while Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult, and Rashid Khan will continue taking charge of the bowling.

Meanwhile, last season's runners-up Seattle Orcas have retained the services of the South African troika of Heinrich Klaasen, Quinton de Kock, and Wayne Parnell. Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim, who recently retired from international cricket, has also been retained by the franchise.

Texas Super Kings will have Chennai Super Kings legend and current Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Faf du Plessis at the helm. He will be joined by the Kiwi duo of Devon Conway and Mitchell Santner.

LA Knight Riders, who finished at the bottom of the table last year, have retained the services of iconic Kolkata Knight Riders duo of Sunil Narine and Andre Russell. Also, experienced Aussie leg-spinner Adam Zampa and talented left-arm quick Spencer Johnson will don their jersey once again.

San Francisco Unicorns have retained the in-form Finn Allen, who recently scored a world record-shattering century against Pakistan. However, their second retention, Haris Rauf's availability isn't going to be as straightforward as the pacer has had his share of problems in obtaining NOCs for foreign leagues.

Also read: PCB terminates Haris Rauf's central contract

Ricky Ponting's Washington Freedom have secured the services of West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein and South African all-rounder Marco Jansen.

The franchises will be allowed to name nine international players in their rosters. There will be no draft held for international players. Teams are expected to communicate with players from their wishlist for further international recruitments. Meanwhile, the domestic retentions are expected to be confirmed by the end of February before the domestic draft is held in March.