PSL franchises announce retention as Multan Sultans keep none

By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Six franchises, including defending champions Lahore Qalandars, have announced their retained players for the 11th season of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) while former finalists Multan Sultans have opted not to retain any players, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.
All franchises except Islamabad United retained four players each. Islamabad kept three. The league’s two new teams, Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad are expected to announce their retentions by Saturday.
Lahore Qalandars retained captain Shaheen Shah Afridi in the Platinum category. Afridi is the only captain to have won the PSL three times. The franchise also retained Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza (Gold) and emerging player Mohammad Naeem (Silver).
Quetta Gladiators kept spinner Abrar Ahmed in the Platinum category, Usman Tariq in Diamond, last season’s player of the tournament Hasan Nawaz in Gold and left-handed batter Shamyl Hussain in the Emerging category.
Peshawar Zalmi retained former Pakistan captain Babar Azam, the leading run-scorer in PSL history and one of only two players to have featured in 100 league matches. Zalmi also kept left-arm wrist-spinner Sufyan Moqim (Diamond), Abdul Samad (Gold) and pacer Ali Raza (Emerging).
Islamabad United retained all-rounder Shadab Khan in the Platinum category, extending his association with the franchise to a tenth season. Fast bowler Salman Irshad (Gold) and United States wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous (Silver) were also retained.
Karachi Kings kept fast bowler Hasan Ali, the PSL’s leading wicket-taker, in the Platinum category. Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold) and Saad Baig (Emerging) complete their retained list.
Multan Sultans, finalists in each of the last four seasons, chose not to retain any players ahead of the draft.

Retained players by franchise:
Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Platinum), Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold), Mohammad Naeem (Silver)
Quetta Gladiators: Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hasan Nawaz (Gold), Shamyl Hussain (Emerging)
Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (Platinum), Salman Irshad (Gold), Andries Gous (Silver)
Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (Platinum), Sufyan Moqim (Diamond), Abdul Samad (Gold), Ali Raza (Emerging)
Karachi Kings: Hasan Ali (Platinum), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold), Saad Baig (Emerging)
Multan Sultans: None