The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is unlikely to see the availability of star international batters Steve Smith and Kane Williamson, while the PCB is also seeking permission from the England Cricket Board (ECB) to allow their players to play in the T20 tournament in April and May. Top players including David Warner, Adil Rashid, Chris Woakes, and Mustafizur Rahman will be included in the Platinum category at the players' draft on January 13, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Tuesday.
Players in Platinum category
Australia's Matthew Short, Riley Meredith, and Steve Smith (subject to confirmation) are among the other players in the Platinum category, which is the highest. Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson, Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Tom Curran, and Tom Kohler-Cadmore are from England. Finn Allen of New Zealand, Mark Chapman, and Kane Williamson (subject to confirmation) are also included in the platinum category. This group also includes Shai Hope of the West Indies and Charith Asalanka of Sri Lanka.
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Smith and Williamson to not take part in PSL
As per a report from PTI, due to prior commitments, both Australia's Steve Smith and New Zealand's Kane Williamson have likely withdrawn from the PSL.
For the first time, the PSL and the IPL will clash, and the PCB has been working to sign well-known foreign players who were not selected for the IPL. Because of his bowling ban, Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh will only be permitted to play in the league as a batter.
Other players who will also feature in the platinum category are Chris Lynn, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Kusal Mendis, David Willey, Usman Khawaja, Zak Crawley, Jason Roy, Michael Bracewell, and Alex Hales. A few international players, including Australia's Alex Carey, have placed in the Diamond and Gold categories.