Rashid Khan, Chris Lynn picked by CPL franchises as their overseas players

The CPL 2020 draft is set to be a one-of-a-kind event as it will be all virtual. In the wake of COVID-19 outbreak, the sporting world is undergoing significant changes and many new rules have been induced in the game. The CPL is scheduled to be played between August 18 and September 10 behind closed doors, subject to the permission from the local government.

Ahead of the draft, many match-winners have been picked by various franchises as their overseas signings. Chris Lynn has been signed by St Kitts & Nevis Patriots while Rashid Khan has been snapped up by defending champions Barbados Tridents. Rashid’s compatriot Qais Ahmad has been snapped by Guyana Amazon Warriors while Rilee Rossouw has been picked by St Lucia Zouks.

These players have been picked up by teams ahead of the players’ draft because CPL, for the first time, has allowed six franchises to sign overseas players outside of the draft. Other overseas starts to have been signed by various franchises are Tim Seifert (Trinbago Knight Riders), Tabraiz Shamsi (Jamaica Tallawahs), Anrich Nortje (Zouks) and Rassie van der Dussen (Patriots).

Two Indian players also a part of the players’ draft

Talking about the players’ draft, players from 23 countries, outside of those from the Caribbean, have signed up. The draft also comprises two players from India– Pravin Tambe and Asad Khan.

48-year-old Tambe, who has plied his trade for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, is the oldest player in the draft. Tambe was also picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2020. However, the leg-spinner was forced to withdraw after the BCCI disqualified him for participating in unsanctioned leagues like the T10 League.

The other Indian player in the draft is Railways player Asad Pathan, who has also represented Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. 36-year-old Pathan is a part of the draft without a base price.

Other prominent names of the draft are players like Faf du Plessis, David Miller, Mohammad Nabi, Sandeep Lamichhane, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Kagiso Rabada, Carlos Brathwaite, Alex Hales and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi is the only player to be listed in the highest price bracket of USD 1,60,000 in the draft while England’s World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan has been included in the USD 1,30,000 bracket. Tom Banton, Tim Southee, and all-rounder Ben Cutting have been slotted in the USD 110,000 bracket.