PSL 10 Draft: Top Overseas Stars, Emerging Talents, and Big Unpicked Names

The PSL 10 draft brought excitement as top international stars joined teams, emerging talents shone brightly and unexpected omissions of seasoned players left fans stunned.

Sat Jan 18 2025
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ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 draft unfolded this week against the historic backdrop of Huzoori Bagh near Lahore Fort. For the first time in the league’s history, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will coincide with the Indian Premier League (IPL) in April and May, following the much-anticipated Champions Trophy 2025.

This year’s draft pool made it arguably the most competitive selection in recent memory. Here are the five marquee overseas stars whose inclusion has electrified fans and analysts alike:

Daryl Mitchell

Lahore Qalandars secured him as their first-draft pick. The dynamic and versatile Kiwi cricketer is in high demand across elite leagues, including the IPL and The Hundred.

In the T20 World Cup 2021, he delivered a match-winning performance in the semi-final that propelled his team into the final. Stepping in as a replacement for Williamson, he further cemented his prowess by notching back-to-back centuries against Pakistan in ODIs. With a scintillating T20I strike rate of 140, he remains a vital asset for any team.

David Warner

He epitomizes the quintessential Aussie aggressive opener, blending flair with consistency. He has excelled across the globe, representing an astonishing 27 teams over a 16-year career.

Warner stands as the most prolific overseas batter in IPL history, crossing the 500-run milestone in seven seasons—a record unmatched by any other.

Remarkably, six of those seasons were consecutive. In T20Is, he boasts an average of 33 coupled with an impressive strike rate of 142. Karachi Kings secured him in the Platinum category.

Kane Williamson

Following Brendon McCullum’s retirement in 2016, Williamson assumed leadership of New Zealand, guiding them to several pivotal knockout matches. In 2018, he became the first New Zealander to claim the IPL Orange Cap, amassing 735 runs for Sunrisers Hyderabad and steering them to the final.

Karachi Kings secured this Kiwi legend in the supplementary category.

Rassie Van Der Dussen

Rassie van der Dussen is a coveted name in the T20 circuit, renowned for his ability to clear the ropes and finish games effectively after starting as an opener. In 2017, he earned a spot in the South African XI, stepping in for the retired AB de Villiers. A mainstay in South Africa’s white-ball setup, he averages 37 in T20s and is highly sought-after in franchise leagues.

Islamabad United secured him in the supplementary category during the draft.

Mark Chapman

He is an accomplished Kiwi middle-order batter who broke into the New Zealand XI in 2018 after excelling in the domestic arena. While not a marquee name, his standout performances against Pakistan and blistering current form secured him a platinum category spot with Quetta Gladiators, who already have left-handed Rilee Rossouw on their roaster.

Currently a fixture in New Zealand’s white-ball setup, Pakistanis are familiar with him for his adept handling of Pakistani bowlers.

Following are the 5 most admired emerging players (local & overseas) who will play in PSL 2025:

Sufyan Muqeem

He is a left-arm chinaman spinner who represented Pakistan on tours to Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Against Zimbabwe, he delivered Pakistan’s finest T20I spell, taking 5 for 3 and helping the team bowl out the hosts for a mere 57 in 12.4 overs, their lowest total in the format. He was retained by Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi.

Abdul Samad

He is an aggressive local batter who has excelled in domestic cricket at numbers 5 and 6, two pivotal positions in T20s where Pakistan currently faces challenges. Though still a raw talent with an average of 18.46 in T20s, his strike rate of 146 justifies Muhammad Akram’s decision to deploy him at number 6 for Zalmi in the PSL.

Hassan Nawaz

He was the first selection in the emerging players category during round one and will be a natural pick as a top-order batter, competing with retained opener Khawaja Nafay in the Gladiators lineup. Should he open, he will partner with Finn Allen, New Zealand’s new permanent opener who replaced previous star Martin Guptill.

Max Bryant

He is a promising young Australian middle-order batter with a strike rate of 140 in the Big Bash League. Representing Brisbane Heat, he has yet to receive his maiden call-up to the Australian national team. His impressive performances and growing reputation in the BBL earned him a well-deserved opportunity to play in the PSL for Peshawar Zalmi.

Andries Gous

He is the first-ever player from the USA to feature in the PSL. A wicketkeeper-batter, his stellar performance in the T20 WC 2024 has significantly boosted his stock in franchise cricket. Following his success, he played in the CPL and ILT20, and now his inclusion in the PSL marks another significant achievement.

In the T20 WC 2024, Gous amassed over 200 runs at a strike rate of 151. He maintains an average of 32 in T20s.

PSL 10, Pakistan Super League, Daryl Mitchell, Lahore Qalandars, England, New Zealand, David Warner, Sarfraz Ahmad

Following are the 5 biggest players who were not picked in any side:

Jason Roy

Roy was a pivotal figure in England’s 2019 World Cup triumph. However, since 2021, his form has significantly waned, leading to his exclusion from franchise leagues as well. His unsold status in PSL 2025 came as a major shock to everyone.

Alex Hales

After announcing his retirement from international cricket in July 2024, Hales became a sought-after name in franchise leagues. However, his unsold status in both the IPL and PSL has raised serious concerns among his fans.

ALSO READ: Ihsanullah Reverses Retirement Decision After PSL Draft Snub

Sarfraz Ahmad

The former Pakistan captain who steered the team to Champions Trophy 2017 glory failed to attract any bidders in this year’s PSL. Following a decline in both his personal form and the Quetta Gladiators’ fortunes post-2019, PSL 2024 saw him lose the captaincy, leaving him out of the active player pool.

Shakib Al Hassan

Once revered as the darling of Bangladesh, Shakib’s star has since dimmed. His controversial victory in rigged elections under Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League and a subsequent bowling ban saw his value plummet, rendering him almost invisible in both the Bangladesh team and franchise cricket.

Chris Lynn

Once hailed as Australia’s next big T20 star, Lynn’s consistent underperformance in the format has led to his exclusion from franchise cricket. He now appears to have faded into obscurity, much like several other once-promising talents.

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