Pakistan cricket has been dealt a huge blow as Cricket South Africa (CSA) has refused to send the Proteas players to participate in HBL PSL 7 due to domestic series commitment. Due to the deteriorating Covid-19 situation, franchises were allowed to pick two additional players to their already existing 18-man squad.
Several of the Proteas players were supposed to be included in the mini-draft as franchises were allowed to select one foreign player from the additional two players. Franchises were eagerly awaiting the HBL PSL mini-draft as the likes of South African players David Miller, Quinton de Kock, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen were all initially listed to choose from.
Pakistan Super League Franchises Can No Longer Opt To Select Any South African Cricketer Participating In ODIs Against India
However, with this latest development, PSL franchises can no longer opt to select any South African player as they will be featuring in the forthcoming ODI series against India. In addition to that, CSA has instructed the players to focus on 4-day domestic cricket instead of flying to Pakistan for the seventh edition of PSL.
South Africa is scheduled to play three ODI matches against India from January 19 to January 23 due to which international Proteas players have been asked to make themselves unavailable for the HBL PSL 7. Sources have claimed that the franchises will now have to pick from the remaining players in the list that was drawn up for the first draft which took place on December 18.
South Africa Scheduled To Play 3 ODIs Against India From January 19-23
South Africa is scheduled to play three ODI matches against India from January 19 to January 23 due to which they are asked to make themselves unavailable for the PSL7 starting from 27 of the same month.
The entirety of PSL 2022, which starts on January 27, will be played in Pakistan. The first 15 games of the tournament will be played in Karachi, while the remaining matches will take place in Lahore. In PSL 2021, Mohammad Rizwan led Multan Sultans to their maiden PSL title with a thumping win over Peshawar Zalmi at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
Shahid Afridi had previously played for Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi Kings, and Multan Sultans. Quetta Gladiators are his fourth team in the PSL. Ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) T20 season seven, Quetta Gladiators have roped in veteran all-rounder Shahid Afridi from defending champions, Multan Sultans.
Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi will represent Quetta Gladiators in what will be his farewell Pakistan Super League (PSL).