The buzz around the ninth version of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is getting louder. The PSL 2024 Draft occurred at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore on December 13th. During this event, all teams fortified their squads with quality bowlers and batters. Some picks were lauded while others got mixed reactions. Let’s take a look at each team’s squad, evaluating their strengths, weaknesses, and potential starting XIs.
Lahore Qalandars
Strengths
Lahore Qalandars are renowned for their fiery, aggressive, and lethal bowling, which undoubtedly stands as their greatest strength. However, the top order in Lahore is composed of batsmen like Fakahr, Farhan, and Abdullah, known for their explosive starts.
Weaknesses
Lahore has an excellent fast-bowling lineup, but the absence of Rashid Khan leaves a significant gap in spin bowling. Rashid, currently recovering from injury, might miss the entire PSL 2024 season. To address this, they have selected young Syed Faridoun, a product of their own. Additionally, Sikander Raza is available to bolster their spin bowling department.
Probable XI
- Fakhar Zaman
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Abdullah Shafique
- Rassie van der Dussen✈️
- Shai Hope (wk)✈️
- Sikandar Raza✈️
- David Wiese✈️
- Syed Faridoun (E)
- Shaheen Afridi ©
- Haris Rauf
- Zaman Khan
Remaining Squad
Mirza Tahir Baig, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Imran, Ahsan Bhatti, Dan Lawrence, Jahandad Khan and Kamran Ghulam
Islamabad United
Strengths
Islamabad United is well-known for its explosive batting lineup, featuring players like Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Azam Khan, and Shadab Khan, known for their destructive abilities at any phase of the game. The team has a history of producing young talent for Pakistan, and presently, they’ve enlisted Hunain Shah, Ubaid Shah, and Shamyl Hussain, adding extra dynamism to the squad.
Weaknesses
However, despite being two-time champions, the team has struggled with inconsistency, particularly in their bowling department. This inconsistency in bowling serves as a weak link for the team. Yet, this season, there is hope for improved bowling performance as Islamabad United has strengthened its bowling lineup by acquiring Naseem Shah and Imad Wasim. Nonetheless, the certainty of Naseem’s participation throughout the season remains uncertain.
Probable XI
- Colin Munro✈️
- Alex Hales✈️
- Jordan Cox✈️
- Salman Ali Agha
- Shadab Khan ©
- Azam Khan (wk)
- Imad Wasim
- Faheem Ashraf
- Naseem Shah
- Tymal Mills✈️
- Hunain Shah
Remaining Squad
Shamyl Hussain, Rumman Raees, Shahab Khan, Ubaid Shah, Tom Curran, Qasim Akram, Matthew Forde
Multan Sultans
Strengths
In the PSL 2024 draft, Multan Sultans boast a well-balanced and promising squad. Their reliance on local talent remains a significant strength, aligning with their consistent team-building strategy. They appear to check most boxes for a potential championship team, leveraging players like Rizwan, Malan, Hendricks, Ifthikar, and Khusdil, who can deliver solid scores with commendable strike rates.
Weaknesses
Multan encounters challenges in its bowling department due to a youthful lineup. Bowlers such as Faisal Akram, Ihsanullah, and Abbas Afridi are notably young, which might pose a challenge at this stage of the competition. Additionally, the team faces uncertainties regarding Ihsanullah’s participation, as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury, raising doubts about his availability for the PSL 2024 season.
Probable XI
- Mohammad Rizwan (C&wk)
- Reeza Hendricks✈️
- David Malan✈️
- Taiyab Tahir
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Khushdil Shah
- David Wiily✈️
- Usama Mir
- Abbas Afridi
- Faisal Akram (E)
- Shahnawaz Dahani
Remaining Squad
Reece Topley, Ihsanullah, Mohammad Ali, Usman Khan, Yasir Khan, Chris Jordan and Aftab Ibrahim
Karachi Kings
Strengths
As seen in the PSL 2024 draft, Karachi Kings tend to pick experienced players over young ones. In the squad, they picked some experienced but ageing players. With Shan Masood as a tactically astute captain, Karachi has bolstered its batting lineup by adding Tim Seifert, James Vince, Kieron Pollard, Mohammad Nawaz, and Shoaib Malik. Furthermore, the team boasts a formidable bowling lineup in both pace and spin departments.
Weaknesses
In some recent seasons, Karachi did not play as expected. They lacked consistency but now they may come up with a new strategy as they bring new management and a new captain. It remains to be seen if these changes will be enough to turn things around for the team. The team will need to focus and execute their plans to achieve success.
Probable XI
- Shan Masood ©
- James Vince✈️
- Saad Baig (E&wk)
- Shoaib Malik
- Kiron Pollard✈️
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Anwar Ali
- Danial Sams ✈️
- Hassan Ali
- Tabraiz Shamsi✈️
- Mir Hamza
Remaining Squad
Muhammad Akhlaq, Mohammad Amir Khan, Anwar Ali and Arafat Minhas, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Sirajuddin, and Jamie Overton
Quetta Gladiators
Strengths
Quetta Gladiators have finally assembled a strong and balanced squad in the PSL 2024 draft after a long period. Their lineup boasts commendable top-order batters and an impressive bowling unit, capable of inflicting damage. Jason Roy and Rilee Rossouw pose a substantial threat to any bowling lineup. Additionally, the inclusion of Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed, Hassaranga, and Mohammad Wasim Jnr fortifies their bowling strength.
Weaknesses
Quetta exhibits strength in their top order and bowling, but they face a deficiency in quality middle and lower-order batters. Despite securing Sherfane Rutherford, concerns linger regarding his availability.
Probable XI
- Jason Roy✈️
- Khawaja Nafay (E)
- Saud Shakeel
- Rille Rossow✈️
- Sarfaraz Ahmed (C&wk)
- Sherfane Rutherford✈️
- Wanindu Hasaranga✈️
- Mohammad Wasim
- Mohammad Amir
- Abrar Ahmed
- Mohammad Hasnain
Remaining Squad
Will Smeed, Sajjad Ali Jnr, Usman Qadir, Omair Bin Yousuf, Adil Naz, Akeal Hosein and Sohail Khan
Peshawar Zalmi
Strengths
Peshawar Zalmi boasts an impressive array of young and promising talent, coupled with a formidable batting lineup spearheaded by the world-class Babar Azam. The inclusion of Asif Ali strengthened their lower-order batting. Notably, in the draft, Peshawar secured the talents of Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad, a rarity in the current era. Additionally, they acquired Naveen, Lungi Ngidi, Salman Irshad, the emerging talent Mohammad Zeshan, and Mehran Mumtaz to fortify their bowling department. Zalmi presents a well-balanced squad, encompassing anchors, power hitters, and death bowlers.
Weaknesses
While Peshawar possesses a batting powerhouse, their bowling has been a weak link in past seasons. They appear well-balanced this season but are a little inexperienced in their bowling unit. Despite the presence of Ngidi, whose participation for the entire season remains in question.
Probable XI
- Babar Azam©
- Saim Ayub
- Mohammad Haris
- Tom-Kohler Cadmore ✈️
- Haseebullah(E&Wk)
- Asif Ali
- Aamir Jamal
- Noor Ahmad ✈️
- Lungi Ngidi✈️
- Khurram Shehzad
- Salman Irshad
Remaining Squad
Naveen-ul-Haq, Arif Yaqoob, Umair Afridi, Rovman Powell, Daniel Mousley, Mohammad Zeeshan, and Mehran Mumtaz
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