On January 13th, 2025, the highly anticipated PSL 2025 Draft took place, allowing teams to build their squads for the upcoming season. Before the draft, all six franchises announced their player retentions, with each team permitted to keep up to eight players from the previous year. However, three teams opted to retain only seven.
The draft played a crucial role in balancing team rosters and maintaining competitive fairness. To ensure weaker teams had a chance to strengthen their squads, those that finished lower in the standings last season were given the first picks in the draft.
Each PSL team must have a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 20 players, including five to six overseas players, making strategic draft selections essential for building a strong squad. Keep reading to see the full list of drafted players, team squads, and key takeaways from the PSL 2025 Draft!
Complete List of Players Drafted in PSL 2025 by Franchise
Below is the complete list of players selected in the PSL 2025 draft, organized by franchise and category.
| Franchise | Platinum | Diamond | Gold | Silver | Emerging | Supplementary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islamabad United | Matthew Short | Jason Holder | Ben Dwarshuis | Salman Irshad, Mohammad Nawaz, Andries Gous | Saad Masood, Hunain Shah | Rassie van der Dussen, Riley Meredith |
| Karachi Kings | David Warner, Adam Milne, Abbas Afridi | Khushdil Shah | Aamir Jamal | Mir Hamza, Litton Das | Riazullah, Fawad Ali | Kane Williamson, Mohammad Nabi, Omair Yousuf, Mirza Mammon |
| Lahore Qalandars | Daryl Mitchell | Kusal Perera | No selection | Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Rishad Hossain, Muhammad Akhlaq | Momin Qamar, Mohammad Azab | Tom Curran, Sam Billings, Salman Mirza, Muhammad Naeem |
| Multan Sultans | Michael Bracewell | No selection | Mohammad Hasnain, Kamran Ghulam | Akif Javed, Tayyab Tahir, Gudakesh Motie, Josh Little | Shahid Aziz, Ubaid Shah | Johnson Charles, Shai Hope, Yasir Khan, Muhammad Amir Barki |
| Peshawar Zalmi | Tom Kohler-Cadmore | Corbin Bosch, Mohammad Ali | Abdul Samid, Nahid Rana, Hussain Talat | Max Bryant, Najibullah Zadran | Maaz Sadaqat | Alzarri Joseph, Ahmed Daniyal |
| Quetta Gladiators | Mark Chapman, Faheem Ashraf, Finn Allen | No selections made | No selections made | Khurram Shehzad, Haseebullah Khan, Kyle Jamieson | Hassan Nawaz, Mohammad Zeeshan | Kusal Mendis, Sean Abbott, Shoaib Malik, Danish Aziz |
PSL 2025 Draft Winners & Losers
Whilst it is difficult to ascertain who had the best draft strategy before seeing the teams in action, several themes emerged. Karachi Kings, determined to make up for missing out on the playoffs last year, were aggressive in the market, acquiring Warner and his Australian teammate Adam Milne and then drafting Kane Williamson as a Secondary player. Meanwhile, Zalmi continued building their team around a Pakistani core, while their acquisition policy had a West Indian flavour.
Top Players to Watch from the PSL 2025 Draft
It is impossible to look beyond the acquisition of Warner by the Kings as one of the biggest signings of the draft window. Although he may now be retired from international cricket, at 38, he remains a top run scorer in T20 cricket, with a wealth of franchise experience behind him. For many years, he played in the IPL for the Delhi Capitals and the Sunrisers Hyderabad and recently captained the Sydney Thunder to the knock-out stages of the Big Bash League. He also brings some leadership skills to the King’s side, both on the pitch and in the dressing room.
A figure who is never far from his share of controversy, Warner will likely draw big crowds wherever he goes.
Another Platinum pick, and fellow Australian Matt Short, selected by the defending champions Islamabad United, could be a shrewd acquisition. He demonstrated his ability by scoring a rapid century for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League recently, and his off-spin is an added weapon in his arsenal.
Kyle Jamieson may have been one of the cheaper New Zealanders drafted – he was only a Silver selection for the Quetta Gladiators. Still, they are hoping that can be any answer to their longstanding fast bowling issues. A tall man who can extract extra bounce from even the flattest of pitches, a series of injury problems have stalled his international career. But, if he can stay fit, he could be a bargain.
Player Categories and Salary Bands
Under the PSL draft system, both retained and new players are classified into six categories: Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, Emerging, and Supplementary. A player’s assigned category determines their salary band.
For 2025, the categories and their respective average salaries are as follows:
| Category | Description | Average Salary (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum | Elite local and overseas players with high market value. | $105,000 |
| Diamond | High-performing players just below Platinum level. | $52,500 |
| Gold | Established performers with a solid track record. | $37,500 |
| Silver | Up-and-coming players with a promising record. | $18,750 |
| Emerging | Young local players under 23 (as of Jan 1st) who haven’t played for Pakistan in any format. Each team must field at least one Emerging player in their starting XI. | $7,500 |
| Supplementary | Backup players providing squad depth or injury cover, often experienced international players. | $50,000 |
Elite Players & Salary Variations
While the above figures represent average salaries, top-tier players can earn significantly more. For instance, Babar Azam, the captain of Peshawar Zalmi, and David Warner, the Australian opener making his PSL debut in 2025, are both expected to earn approximately US $300,000 this season.
PSL 2025 Draft
The PSL 2025 Draft took place on January 13th 2025. Although it was initially due to be staged in the province of Baluchistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board had a change of mind and switched to the city of Lahore. They chose an iconic venue to stage it—the Hazoori Bagh, a garden in the centre of the city. It is one of the most visited places in Pakistan and reflects the rich cultural, architectural, and political history of the city.
Whilst only a lucky few journalists could join players, team officials, and representatives for the draft ceremony itself, with the PSL draft live on television, many millions of people watching at home could share in the excitement of the occasion.
Former England fast bowler Dominic Cork and Pakistan women’s team captain Sana Mir conducted the draft ceremony.
How the PSL Draft Was Conducted
With all franchises announcing their player retentions on January 4th, teams needed to fill their squads based on the remaining gaps. While franchises were given seven minutes per selection on draft day, extensive planning had already been done, with teams identifying key targets and backup options in case their first choices were unavailable.
Retentions by Team
| Team | Platinum | Diamond | Gold | Silver | Emerging |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islamabad United | Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah | Imad Wasim (Mentor), Azam Khan | Haider Ali, Salman Ali Agha | Colin Munro, Rumman Raees | — |
| Karachi Kings | — | Hasan Ali, James Vince | Shan Masood, Irfan Khan | Arafat Minhas, Tim Seifert, Zahid Mahmood | — |
| Lahore Qalandars | Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman | Haris Rauf, Sikandar Raza | Abdullah Shafique, Zaman Khan, Jahandad Khan | David Wiese | — |
| Multan Sultans | Mohammad Rizwan, Usama Mir | David Willey, Iftikhar Ahmed, Usman Khan | Chris Jordan | Faisal Akram | — |
| Peshawar Zalmi | Babar Azam, Saim Ayub | Mohammad Haris | — | Sufiyan Muqeem, Arif Yaqoob, Mehran Mumtaz | Ali Raza |
| Quetta Gladiators | — | Mohammad Amir (Mentor), Abrar Ahmed, Rilee Rossouw | Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Akeal Hosein | Khawaja Nafay, Usman Tariq | — |
PSL Draft Squad Selections
- The Lahore Qalandars had the first Platinum pick and selected Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand).
- The Karachi Kings followed by choosing David Warner (Australia).
- The Quetta Gladiators picked another New Zealander, Mark Chapman.
Other Notable Platinum Selections
- Ashraf Afridi and Faheem Ashraf were Wild Card upgrades rather than new draftees.
- Peshawar Zalmi used their RTM card (Right to Match) to retain Tom Kohler-Cadmore (England, 30 years old).
PSL Draft Category Limits
Under the PSL draft rules, there are limits as to the number of players that can be picked in each category. In the Platinum category, teams are limited to no more than three players, one of which must be local. The same applies to the Diamond category. Gold picks are limited to three, and Silver to five. Each team must pick two players from the Emerging category.
Regarding the Supplementary category, franchises have a choice – they can pick one, two, or no players at all. If they pick two, one of them needs to be a Pakistani; they also have the option to choose an additional Emerging Player, bringing their number to three.
Although teams can have squads up to a maximum of 20 players, Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi have decided to select 18 players each for this season.
Other Draft Rules
Beyond player selection, the PSL draft system includes additional mechanisms that impact team rosters and budgets. Franchises can designate brand ambassadors and mentors, each with different financial implications. Additionally, teams have the opportunity to modify their squads through player trades, allowing for mid-season adjustments within set constraints. The following sections outline these key rules.
1. Ambassador Role
Franchises could appoint certain players as brand ambassadors during the retention window. Any additional salary they receive for this is deducted from the draft budget. Salman Ali Agha of Islamabad United and Iftikhar Ahmed of the Multan Sultans are examples of players appointed brand ambassadors by their teams for the 2025 season.
2. Mentor Role
Players can be appointed mentors during the retention window if they meet specific criteria. The difference is that any extra fees they receive for this service do not affect the franchise’s draft budget. Imad Wasim will mentor Islamabad United this season, while David Willey will perform a similar role for the Sultans.
3. Player Trades
In addition to the PSL draft, teams can augment their squads via the player trade system. More than ten types of trade are possible, involving a combination of money, draft picks, and players, with the maximum trade budget per team set at US $50,000.
The trade window opens after at least four matches in the PSL season have been played and can only involve players who have yet to appear for their franchise that season. Teams are restricted to a maximum of two trades each, and their overall squad size must remain unaltered after the trades have been completed.
The Draft Concept & Comparison
The draft is a system used to allocate players to teams, commonly seen in North American sports like the NFL and Major League Baseball. It operates as follows:
- Teams take turns selecting eligible players.
- Once selected, a team has exclusive rights to sign that player. No other franchise can negotiate with them.
- This system promotes parity by allowing weaker teams to access top talent, helping them improve for the next season.
Player Concerns
While the draft system ensures competitive balance, it is not ideal from a player’s perspective. Once their names are entered in the draft, they have little control over their future. They are expected to play for whichever team selects them, even if that team is underperforming. This places an unrealistic burden on them to turn things around, often leading to immense pressure and high expectations.
The PSL Draft vs. IPL Auction
- PSL Draft Issues: One major criticism of the PSL draft is the lack of transparency in determining the draft order and categorizing players. The selection committee has not provided clear guidelines on how these decisions are made. Additionally, the PSL uses the draft system mainly due to financial constraints.
- Comparison with IPL: The IPL follows an auction system where teams bid for players within a set budget, with the highest bidder securing the player. This format would not be viable for the PSL because it lacks the same financial resources, including lower revenue, prize money, player salaries, and viewership.
Arguments in Favor of the PSL Draft
Despite its flaws, some argue that the PSL draft system encourages fairer competition. Since its inception, every PSL team has won the tournament at least once. In contrast, despite starting eight years earlier, some IPL franchises have yet to claim a title. This suggests that the draft system contributes to a more balanced playing field.
Special Draft Features
1. The Right to Match option
Like other franchise leagues—the IPL is another example—the PSL allows teams to exercise a Right-to-Match (RTM) option. This allows a team to select any player who had played for them last year but who they subsequently released, provided that they at least matched the salary and terms that they were offered by another franchise. Each team was given one RTM card, which applied across all the categories of players.
In the event, two franchises exercised their RTM cards. Zalmi brought back English right-handed batter and spinner Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who became one of their Platinum picks. And, Pakistani middle-order batter Tayyab Tahir has rejoined the Sultans for another season.
2. Wild Cards
The PSL draft also uses the concept of Wild Cards, which allows a franchise to upgrade a player from a lower category to a higher one, with each team getting one wild card pick. It is a way of giving players a pay rise. Three teams eventually took advantage of this option. The Karachi Kings upgraded Abbas Afridi from Gold to Platinum, and the Quetta Gladiators did the same with Faheem Ashraf. Meanwhile, Zalmi elevated Abdul Samad from Silver to Gold.
Franchises can also downgrade players for budgetary or strategic reasons, although this first needs the approval of the player concerned. All the other franchises must also agree upon it, and it will not be approved if even one objects. This issue, though, did not arise in the 2025 PSL draft.
FAQs About PSL 2025 Draft
1. Who are the PSL players drafting 2025?
Over 80 foreign players and many more Pakistanis registered for the 2025 PSL draft. In the end, after the franchises announced their retentions, there were just 71 places available, with Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi not taking up their maximum numbers in squad size.
Teams were required to contain three Platinum, Diamond, and Gold players, five in the Silver category, and at least two Emerging Players. They were also allowed to add several Supplementary players to their squads.
2. Who was the first pick in the PSL 2025?
Having finished bottom of the table last time, the Lahore Qalandars had the first pick in the auction this time, and they chose the New Zealander Daryl Mitchell. The all-rounder was selected because of his ability to deliver with both bat and ball and because they felt his experience in pressure situations added some much-needed depth to their squad.
3. Will David Warner play PSL 2025?
David Warner will play in the PSL for the first time in 2025 after the Karachi Kings made him one of their Platinum picks. Warner is also the league’s joint highest-paid player this year, with a salary cap of US $300,000. Now retired from international cricket, Warner became available after failing to attract bids in the 2025 IPL auction.
4. Who has signed up for the PSL 2025?
Seventy-one players were chosen in the 2025 draft: 32 foreigners and 39 Pakistanis.
5. Is Kane Williamson playing PSL?
Kane Williamson, the former New Zealand captain, will play for the Karachi Kings, and like Warner, he is set to make his debut in the tournament. He registered himself in the opening Platinum category of players but was snubbed by all the franchises. He had to wait until the Supplementary round before the Kings finally made their move for him.
6. How many foreign players can play in PSL?
Teams are allowed a minimum of five or six foreign players each. In terms of a starting XI, though, there must be a minimum of three overseas players and a maximum of four overseas players.
7. Are there any Bangladeshi players in PSL?
The Karachi Kings picked wicketkeeper/batter Litton Das as their second pick in the silver category. Das has made 95 T20I appearances for Bangladesh and has previous franchise cricket appearances in leagues like the IPL, Caribbean Premier League and Bangladesh Premier League. Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi picked young fast bowler Nahid Rana, set for his first stint playing in an overseas league.
Meanwhile, Rishad Hossain, a right-handed batter and leg spinner, was drafted by the Qalandars.
8. Which team is the most expensive in the PSL?
The Multan Sultans are the most expensive based on brand value. Their brand is valued at more than 6 billion Pakistani rupees—US $250 million.
