PSL 2024 Draft: CSK, KKR stars among 12 players who can be First Picks in PSL Players Draft

The PSL 2024 Players Draft will be taking place on December 13 in Lahore ahead of the upcoming season.

The event has attracted a staggering number of 485 international players from 22 countries, eager to showcase their talents in one of the most prestigious cricket leagues. Among these players, 46 have entered the Platinum category, while 76 have registered in the Diamond category, PCB announced on Wednesday.

Some top-notch talents across the globe have registered their names for the PSL draft, who will be gracing the Pakistan Super League next year. England's Dawid Malan and South Africa's Reeza Hendricks, both ranked in the top 10 of the ICC Men's T20I batter rankings, will be part of the draft.

Not just batters, the draft will also feature some of the world's best T20I bowlers. The list includes Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana, Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Akeal Hosein of West Indies, all of whom are ranked among the top 10 T20I bowlers.

The six franchises will be picking their choices from the Diamond and Platinum category players. Platinum is the highest-ranked category in PSL draft, followed by Diamond. These two are followed by the Gold, Silver, Emerging and Supplementary categories, which mainly involves Pakistani domestic and young cricketers.

PSL 2024 Players Draft

Here are some players names from the Diamond and Platinum categories of PSL 2024 draft list.

PSL 2024 Draft Platinum Category

Daniel Sams, Ashton Agar (both Australia), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (all Afghanistan), Ben Duckett, Chris Jordan, David Willey, Dawid Malan, Luke Wood, Reece Topley, Tom Curran, Tymal Mills (all England), Sandeep Lamichhane (Nepal), James Neesham (New Zealand), Rassie van der Dussen, Imran Tahir (both South Africa), Maheesh Theekshana, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (all Sri Lanka), Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Brandon King and Kyle Mayers (all West Indies)

PSL 2024 Draft Platinum Category

Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi (both Afghanistan), Ben McDermott (Australia), Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahmudullah (all Bangladesh), Dan Lawrence, Gus Atkinson, Jordan Cox, Liam Dawson, Matthew Potts, Ollie Pope, Richard Gleeson, Sam Hain (all England), Tim Seifert, Martin Guptill, Chad Bowes (all New Zealand), George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Reeza Hendricks, Wayne Parnell, Sisanda Magala (all South Africa), Dilshan Madushanka, Charith Asalanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Sadeera Samarawickrama (all Sri Lanka), Fabian Allen, Johnson Charles, Rahkeem Cornwall, Roston Chase, Shai Hope, Hayden Walsh (all West Indies)

PSL 2024 Draft: 12 Players who can be the First Picks

Among these, some big names have been stellar performers in the T20 circuit over the years. Many of these players take part in the IPL and a few familiar names can be the flagship names in the draft. Here are 12 players who may get their name called at the first pick-

Rahmanullah Gurbaz: Afghanistan's dashing batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz can be one of the first picks. The flamboyant player is a superb batter and with his wicketkeeping skills, he can be an asset for any team. Gurbaz plays for the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL and was retained by KKR ahead of the IPL 2024 auction.

Maheesh Theekshana: Sri Lanka's mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana is tipped to be one of the names who will be picked up very early. He plays for Chennai Super Kings in IPL and has been a notable performer for them.

Kieron Pollard: PSL teams would love to have someone like Kieron Pollard in the ranks, whose rich experience and elite skills can be a force. The former Mumbai Indians player is someone to keep an eye on.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz: Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan Miraz can be one of the first picks in the draft. His all-round skills makes him an asset in the T20 version.

Wayne Parnell: Former Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer Wayne Parnell has been a prolific performer across franchise tournaments. The left-arm pacer has the ability to rack up wickets and is also handy with the bat. Hence keep an eye on Parnell.

Dawid Malan: England's destructive opener Dawid Malan has registered his name and will be a top target for the franchises.

Noor Ahmad: Afghanistan's young sensation Noor Ahmad has proved his class in the international stage and is going to be high in the pecking order. Noor, who plays for Gujarat Titans in IPL, has done extremely well in the World Cup 2023 as well.

The other six players who can be the first pick in the PSL 2024 draft are Reeza Hendricks, Rovman Powell, Rassie van der Dussen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Dasun Shanaka and Romario Shepherd.