PSL 2024: PCB unveils category changes for local players

LAHORE: In preparation for the forthcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) scheduled for February 8 to March 24, 2024, the Pakistan Cricket Board has executed a local player category renewal process, resulting in upgrades and demotions for several players. Notably, nine players saw adjustments in their respective categories, signaling changes in their valuation within the league.

Among the prominent category upgrades, Quetta Gladiators’ Naseem Shah and Iftikhar Ahmed have been promoted from the diamond category to platinum, while Sarfraz Ahmed moved up to the diamond category from gold.

Peshawar Zalmi’s wicketkeeper-batter, Mohammad Haris, has transitioned to diamond from gold. Additionally, pace bowler Salman Irshad advanced to the gold category from silver, and Multan Sultans’ fast bowlers Abbas Afridi and Ihsanullah made the leap to gold from their previous emerging player status.

Furthermore, Islamabad United’s wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan and pace all-rounder Faheem Ashraf have been elevated from gold to the diamond category. Several other players have also witnessed changes in their categories, with some experiencing demotions.

The selection process involved franchise representatives voting on each player. Notably, teams were not permitted to vote for their own players, although they could submit review requests at the conclusion of the voting phase.

A panel consisting of Director of International Cricket Usman Wahla, Tauseef Ahmad from the national selection committee, and Shoaib Khalid, the Manager Partnerships overseeing player acquisition for PSL since 2021, reviewed the list. Key factors considered included players’ performances in the national team, domestic cricket, and their perceived value in the T20 format.

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In the next phase, franchises will submit relegation requests for players as they finalize their roster retentions. If a player’s base category is not matched during this process, they may be relegated to a category below their base status.

It’s important to note that players who have represented Pakistan internationally cannot be demoted below the gold category.

As part of the category renewal procedure, there are restrictions on how long U23 players can remain part of a squad as emerging players, depending on the number of matches they’ve played over a two-year period.

The local player category renewals for Islamabad United were also disclosed, outlining the categories for Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Hasan Ali, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Sohaib Maqsood, Abrar Ahmed, Rumman Raees, Zafar Gohar, Mubasir Khan, Zeeshan Zamir, and Hassan Nawaz.