Welcome to the thrilling realm of the HBL PSL 9, where cricket fervor meets strategic prowess. In the lead-up to the much-anticipated 2024 edition, the league has undergone a metamorphosis with nine players ascending to higher echelons in the local player categories. This seismic shift follows a meticulous renewal process, including the opening of foreign player registrations on October 25 and the tentative draft scheduled for mid-December.
Brace yourself for an insightful journey as we delve into the upgrades, demotions, and the intricate dynamics shaping the teams. From categories renewals to the strategic intricacies of the draft, this exploration unveils the chessboard on which the cricketing giants are set to clash.
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HBL PSL 9 2024 Local Player Categories Renewal Key Takeaways
| Topic | Information |
|---|---|
| Categories Upgrade | Nine players’ categories upgraded in HBL PSL. |
| Foreign Player Registration | Opened on October 25. |
| Draft Schedule | Tentatively set for mid-December. |
| Notable Upgrades | Naseem Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Sarfraz Ahmed, and more. |
| Demotions | Players like Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Hasnain, Haider Ali, and Asif Ali demoted. |
| Relegation Process | Franchises to submit relegation requests for players. |
| Selection Criteria | Performance factors, T20 brand value, and voting by franchise representatives. |
| U23 Players | Cannot be Emerging for more than two years unless played nine or fewer matches. |
Categories Upgrade and Draft Details
The anticipation for the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) is on the rise as nine players witness an elevation in their categories following the local player categories renewal draft process. With the flagship event tentatively scheduled for February 8 to March 24, 2024, the league promises excitement and intense competition.
Local Player Upgrades
- Quetta Gladiators Shine
- Naseem Shah and Iftikhar Ahmed, both Quetta Gladiators players, have ascended from diamond to platinum, showcasing their stellar performances.
- Sarfraz Ahmed, another Gladiators’ stalwart, has been elevated from gold to diamond, reflecting his continued excellence.
- Peshawar Zalmi’s Noteworthy Changes
- Mohammad Haris, the wicketkeeper-batter for Peshawar Zalmi, has moved up the ranks from gold to diamond, underlining his prowess.
- Salman Irshad, a pace bowler from Zalmi, has gained recognition, stepping up from silver to gold.
- Multan Sultans’ Rising Stars
- Abbas Afridi and Ihsanullah, fast bowlers from Multan Sultans, have both earned promotions to the gold category after impressing as emerging picks last season.
- Islamabad United’s Diamond Duos
- Azam Khan and Faheem Ashraf of Islamabad United have been upgraded from gold to the prestigious diamond category, highlighting their stellar contributions.
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Player Demotions
While promotions were the theme, some players faced demotions. Mohammad Nawaz (Quetta, Platinum to Diamond), Mohammad Hasnain (Quetta, Diamond to Gold), Haider Ali (Karachi, Platinum to Gold), and Asif Ali (Islamabad, Platinum to Diamond) experienced shifts. However, it’s noteworthy that players who have represented Pakistan internationally cannot be relegated below the gold category.
Local Player Categories Renewal Draft
The meticulous local player categories renewal draft involved franchise representatives voting for each player. Teams, unable to vote for their own players, submitted review requests at the conclusion of this stage. The list underwent scrutiny by cricket authorities, including Director – International Cricket Usman Wahla, selection committee member Tauseef Ahmad, and Player Acquisition Manager Shoaib Khalid.
Selection Criteria
Factors considered during the finalization of local players’ categories included national and domestic performances, as well as perceived T20 brand value. This robust approach ensures a fair representation of player capabilities and contributions.
Relegation Requests and Draft Dynamics
As the dust settles on the categories renewal, franchises now proceed to submit relegation requests for players before finalizing retentions. In this phase, teams have the opportunity to match a player’s base category. Failure to match may result in a player being relegated to a category below their base category.
U23 Player Limitations
A significant rule in the league stipulates that U23 players cannot serve as an Emerging player in a squad for more than two years, unless their match count remains at nine or fewer.
Team-wise Local Player Categories Renewals
Let’s delve into the specifics of local player categories renewal for each team:
Islamabad United
- Shadab Khan (Platinum), Asif Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Hasan Ali, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf (all Diamond), Sohaib Maqsood, Abrar Ahmed, Rumman Raees, Zafar Gohar, Mubasir Khan (all Gold), Zeeshan Zamir (Silver), Hassan Nawaz (Emerging)
Karachi Kings
- Imad Wasim (Platinum), Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Amir (both Diamond), Haider Ali, Aamir Yamin, Sharjeel Khan, Mir Hamza, Tayyab Tahir, Musa Khan, Qasim Akram (all Gold), Mohammad Ikhlaq, Mohammad Umar, Akif Javed (all Silver), Irfan Khan Niazi, Faisal Akram (both Emerging)
Lahore Qalandars
- Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Fakhar Zaman (all Platinum), Hussain Talat, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Mirza Tahir Baig, Zaman Khan (all Gold), Dilbar Hussain, Ahmed Daniyal, Ahsan Bhatti, Jalat Khan (all Silver), Shawaiz Irfan (Emerging)
Multan Sultans
- Mohammad Rizwan (Platinum), Shan Masood, Khushdil Shah, Usama Mir (all Diamond), Abbas Afridi, Ihsanullah, Arafat Minhas, Shahnawaz Dahani, Anwar Ali (all Gold), Sameen Gul, Sarwar Afridi, Ammad Butt, Mohammad Ilyas (all Silver)
Peshawar Zalmi
- Babar Azam (Platinum), Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Haris, Saim Ayub (all Diamond), Danish Aziz, Arshad Iqbal, Aamer Jamal, Salman Irshad, Usman Qadir, Harris Sohail, Sufyan Muqeem (all Gold), Khurram Shahzad (Silver), Haseebullah, Saad Masood (both Emerging)
Quetta Gladiators
- Naseem Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed (both Platinum), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed (all Diamond), Mohammad Hasnain, Ahsan Ali, Umar Akmal, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saud Shakeel (all Gold), Bismillah Khan, Umaid Asif, Mohammad Zahid, Arshadullah (all Silver), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Aimal Khan, Yasir Khan, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (all Emerging)
The anticipation builds as teams strategize and finalize their squads for the upcoming edition, ensuring a thrilling competition in the HBL PSL.
Also Read: PSL Live News Updates: Stay in the Cricket Pulse
Conclusion
Stay tuned for further updates as the league unfolds its excitement and drama. The draft, tentatively scheduled for mid-December, promises to be a pivotal moment in shaping the teams for the upcoming season. Foreign player registration, already underway since October 25, adds an international flair to the league, setting the stage for a spectacular cricketing extravaganza in 2024.