LAHORE: Australian batsman Usman Khawaja, who previously represented Islamabad United, has officially registered for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 player draft.
Usman, who is a key part of Australia’s current Test squad, played one season in the PSL in 2021 when he represented inaugural champions Islamabad United.
The left-handed batsman performed that season for United, amassing 246 runs in just seven innings at a remarkable average of 49.20 and a strike rate of 152.79. He also scored a century and half-century.
As a result, Khawaja finished 12th in the PSL 2021 top scorers list, led by Pakistani star Babar Azam.
In addition to Usman Khawaja, former England pacer David Willey has also signed up for the PSL 2025 draft.
Willey made an impressive impact during the ninth edition of the PSL for eventual runners-up Multan Sultans.
In the 11 matches he played, Willey took 15 wickets at an average of 20.40 and an economy rate of 7.46, finishing as the fourth highest wicket-taker of the season.
His overall performance in the final between Multan Sultans and Islamabad United was particularly notable, where he scored six runs from three balls and took one wicket.
With 19 PSL matches under his belt, Willey has proven to be a valuable asset for the Sultans, accumulating a total of 28 wickets and contributing 66 runs.
It is pertinent to mention that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to carry out the PSL project in Balochistan for the first time.
According to the announcement, the draft will take place in Gwadar, a port city in Pakistan’s largest province, on January 11, 2025.
The pick order for the much-awaited player draft was also announced, with two-time champions Lahore Qalandars taking the first pick in the opening round of the platinum category, followed by arch-rivals Karachi Kings.
2019 champions Quetta Gladiators will have the third pick while Peshawar Zalmi will have the fourth.
Last season’s runners-up Sultans and defending champions United will make the fifth and sixth picks respectively.
