DUBAI – Majority of the overseas players of Karachi Kings, Islamabad Unitedand Peshawar Zalmi have agreed to visit Pakistan for the playoffs of thethird edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL).Pakistan is all set to host three PSL games: two eliminators in Lahore onMarch 20 and 21, and the final in Karachi on March 25.Peshawar ZalmiDefending champions Peshawar Zalmi will have a near full-strength squadtravelling to Pakistan for the knockout games.
“Just like last year, this year too all our foreign players will travel toPakistan for PSL playoffs,” confirmed Javed Afridi, the owner of PeshawarZalmi.However, it has now emerged that Dwayne Smith will not be travelling toPakistan due to family commitments. Bangladesh’s all-rounder Shakib AlHasan is being included in the squad in his place.
Zalmi also had a full strength squad for the PSL final in Lahore last year,where the team won the trophy after beating a depleted Quetta Gladiators.
Karachi KingsAn official of Karachi Kings confirmed that at least five of the playershave expressed their consent to visit Pakistan.“Karachi Kings foreign players Joe Denly, Tymal Mills, Colin Ingram, LendlSimmons and David Weisse are all ready to travel to Pakistan for theplayoffs,” the team spokesman said.
Another player of Karachi Kings, Ravi Bopara, has already announced earlierthat he would visit Pakistan for PSL matches.However, Karachi Kings will not have Eoin Morgan available for the Pakistanleg of the matches. The England captain said earlier he won’t travel toPakistan due to family reasons.
Islamabad UnitedThere has been no official word yet from Islamabad United, but team sourceshave confirmed that at least five of the players are coming to Pakistan.
“Most of Islamabad United’s foreign players will come to Pakistan, while acouple of others will make a call on Saturday after meeting securityexperts,” said a source.
Three Islamabad United players – Samit Patel, JP Duminy and Luke Ronchi –have already confirmed earlier that they will travel to Pakistan.
West Indian batsman Chadwick Walton and spinner Samuel Badree have alsoagreed to visit Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the franchise is hopeful that England’s Sam Billings and StevenFinn will also give a positive response.
Quetta GladiatorsJust like last year, Quetta Gladiators are again running the risk of adepleted squad as most of their overseas players are unwilling to visitPakis-tan.
England opener Jason Roy, star batsman Kevin Pietersen, Australian veteranShane Watson and all-rounder Ben Laughlin have expressed unwillingness tovisit Pakistan for the knockout games.On the positive side, Sri Lanka’s Thisara Perera and Chris Green ofAustralia will join Quetta Gladiators squad in Lahore on March 19 for theeliminators.
Perera, who was also part of the World XI squad which toured Pakistan lastyear, was initially picked by Multan Sultans but did not play a singlematch. He has subsequently been permitted to represent Quetta Gladiators inthe playoffs.
Yorkshire’s Tom Kohler-Cadmore will also join the Gladiators squad for theplayoffs.West Indian batsman Johnson Charles has also been picked by Quetta for thelatter stages of the tournament.
The franchise is hopeful that Mahmudullah of Bangladesh will be availablefor the playoffs once he is free from national duty on March 18.
South African star Rilee Rossouw may also travel to Pakistan.—APP