PSL 2021: Chris Gayle, Rashid Khan, Mustafizur Rahman feature in platinum roaster for upcoming edition

West Indies’ Chris Gayle, Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman, South Africa’s Dale Steyn among others feature in the platinum roaster for the 2020 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The draft for the 2021 edition is set to take place on Sunday, January 10 in Lahore.

Going into the drafts, the official Twitter handle of the PSL released the platinum roaster. The organisers have allowed the six franchises to retain a maximum of eight players before the draft takes place next week. Babar Hamid, the PSL Director Commercial, sounded over the moon.

“We are delighted to release a star-studded list of players in the Platinum category even though we are dealing with an unprecedented situation due to Covid-19 and player availabilities are also hampered by a packed FTP calendar.

“The quality of players on the list is a further testament of the credibility and integrity of the league as it continues to attract the best T20 talent from around the world,” Hamid was quoted as saying.

PSL 2021 Draft Platinum Category (Foreign Players):

Chris Gayle, Lendl Simmons, Carlos Brathwaite, Evin Lewis, DJ Bravo, Chris Jordan, Alex Hales, Moeen Ali, Dawid Malan, Tom Banton, Colin Ingram, Imran Tahir, Rilee Rossouw, David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Thisara Perera, Chris Lynn, Isuru Udana, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Rashid Khan, Mustafizur Rahman, and Sandeep Lamichhane.

✨Platinum Pachees ✨

The six franchises will now be making key trade and retention decisions before the #HBLPSLDraft, with each team allowed a maximum of eight retentions ahead of the Draft.

Who are your top picks from the Platinum Players roster? #HBLPSL pic.twitter.com/aQXaZOVwwx

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) January 5, 2021

Karachi Kings emerging champions

A part of the 2020 PSL took place in February after which the tournament had to be halted before the playoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Back in November 2020, the playoffs and the final took place at the National Stadium in Karachi. Karachi Kings, captained by Imad Wasim became the champions as they beat Sohail Akhtar’s Lahore Qalandars by five wickets in the final.

The games were played behind closed doors as a part of a precautionary measure due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was also the first time when the Kings won the title. It was also the first final for the Qalandars, who finished at the bottom of the points table in the first four editions. The dates for the sixth edition are yet to be announced.