Punjab Kings name Australian opener who is playing in PSL as replacement for Glenn Maxwell, hand him Rs 3 crore contract

Owen is currently a part of Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL). 

The 23-year-old has played 34 T20s so far and scored 646 runs from 30 innings at an average of 25.84, including two centuries. His strike rate is 184.57. With the ball, he has 10 wickets at an average of 37.40. He helped Hobart Hurricanes win the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024-25 with a sensational century in the final.

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Ponting spoke highly of Owen

Earlier, PBKS head coach Ponting had backed Owen to replace an injured Mitchell Marsh in Australia's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad. 

“I don’t know if you guys have been watching the BBL (Big Bash League), but we’ve had one young kid that’s just emerged out of nowhere, a kid called Mitch Owen, who has opened the batting for the Hobart Hurricanes.," Ponting had told the ICC review.  

 

 

“He’s also an all-rounder, probably more suited (as a replacement for Marsh).    

 

 

“I mean, Mitch Marsh has batted in the top three in one-day cricket, mostly in the last couple of years anyway.    

 

 

“Mitch Owen has opened the batting in T20 cricket and opened the batting for Tasmania in the (domestic ODI competition) Marsh Cup this season.    

 

 

“Look, honestly, I’d be surprised if it is him, but I think the selectors now know that there is a really high-quality replacement there.”

 

 

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Owen did not just play well in the BBL 2024-25. He also scored 149 runs from just 69 balls in the run chase in Australia's domestic One-Day Cup.