Karachi, May 13 (PTI) Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering having a mini replacement draft for the remaining PSL matches as franchises are struggling to ensure availability of overseas players who left the country in the wake of recent India-Pakistan military conflict.
The PCB was planing to relocate the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to the UAE but suspended it after tension grew at the border.
The PCB announced on Tuesday that the league will be completed in the May 17-25 window but did not share the full schedule.
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“This is because of the problems the Board and the franchises, excluding Multan Sultans, are facing in convincing their overseas players to return for the remaining matches to wrap up the league this year,” a franchise official said.
He said since Multan had only one match remaining and were out of the running for the playoffs it was not cost effective for them to recall their overseas players.
“But for Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Islamabad and Peshawar who are in the running for the playoffs, their officials and the Board are in touch with the players’ agents to get them to return to Pakistan for the remaining matches,” he said.
He said if the franchises didn’t face much success in convincing their overseas players to return the PCB would consider having a mini replacement draft.
“The other option is that the league regulations allow for teams to play without any foreign players or at the same time they can field a maximum of four overseas players,” he said.
The source said some franchises had had success in convincing some of their overseas signings to return but many who left for their countries via Dubai, were not keen to come back so soon after the conflict.
Karachi Kings however succeded in convincing their captain David Warner to return along with two other Australian players.
Lungi Ngidi returns as South Africa announce 15-man squad for WTC final against Australia
Johannesburg, May 13 (PTI) Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi returned to the squad for the first time since October last year as South Africa named a 15-member squad for the World Test Championship final against Australia, beginning at Lord’s on June 11.
Kagiso Rabada, who has recently returned from one-month suspension from recreational drug use, is one of the six fast bowlers in the side which also includes two spinners in Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy.
The Proteas bowling attack also includes bowling all-rounders Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder and Corbin Bosch.
Temba Bavuma will continue as the skipper.
“There is a strong feel and overall balance to the top order where batters Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and David Bedingham all feature, while one of the key players in helping the Proteas reach the final, Kyle Verreynne, is named as wicketkeeper,” Cricket South Africa said in a release.
“Over the past 18 months, we’ve worked hard to build a competitive red-ball unit, and this achievement reflects that progress,” said head coach Shukri Conrad.
“A key part of our success has been consistency in selection, and we’ve stuck with the core group of players who have been part of this WTC cycle. We’ve selected a balanced squad for the conditions we expect at Lord’s.
The Proteas squad will assemble in Arundel on May 31 and will play a warm-up match against Zimbabwe from June 3-6.
South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk).
