None of the 45 Pakistani players who registered for the men’s draft were selected, even though there were still spots available in the teams. This was a surprising outcome, especially for well-known cricketers like Naseem Shah, Imad Wasim, and Shadab Khan. These players had set high reserve prices for themselves, hoping to secure a good deal, but unfortunately, no team showed interest in picking them.
The situation was similar in the women’s draft, where no Pakistani players were selected either. This included talented cricketers like Aliya Riaz and Fatima Sana, who had hoped to get a chance to compete in the tournament.
One of the reasons behind this trend could be the changing investment landscape of the league. Many franchises are now owned or backed by investors from the Indian Premier League (IPL), which may have influenced the selection process. While Pakistani players went unsold, other international cricketers, such as Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmad and New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell, were able to secure high-value contracts.
However, there is still a chance for Pakistani players to be included in the competition. Teams will have another opportunity to add players through the wildcard draft, which is scheduled to take place in May. Until then, fans and players will have to wait and see if any Pakistani cricketers get a last-minute opportunity to participate in the tournament.
