Chris Gayle's participation in PSL confirmed, talks on with 25 overseas players

Chris Gayle has had a stellar T20 season, in the Natwest Blast as well as the CPL

Laying all speculation to rest, Pakistan Super League head Najam Sethi confirmed that Chris Gayle will indeed be seen featuring in the IPL-style T20 league to be flagged off next year, to be inaugurated in Qatar in February 2016. Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy will also be part of the event.

The agency that manages Gayle, one of the most valuable Twenty20 players, confirmed that he had signed the pre-draft agreement on Monday, according to ESPNCricinfo. Darren Sammy and Sunil Narine along with former England batsman Owais Shah will also be part of the PSL draft pool.

It is reported that the event organisers are seeking at least 25 overseas players for the tournament.

“We’re delighted to have Gayle on board for PSL and it can’t get bigger than this,” PSL head Najam Sethi said.

“Apart from Gayle West Indies T20 captain Darren Sammy has also agreed to be part of PSL so we’ve got top two players of the world and there will be more announcements in next few days.”

Apart from the West Indian duo, Sri Lankans Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Thishara Perrera, West Indies’ Sunile Narine, Kieron Pollard, Samuel Badree and many others have given their consent.

The first edition of PSL will feature five franchise-based teams from the provincial capitals - Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and Islamabad - with prize money of $1 million. The tournament is scheduled to run from February 4 to 24 and will feature 24 matches.

Big news for #PSL finally @henrygayle on board now,,even though he has few other options but he gave preference to Pakistan super league.1/2

— Ahmad Shahzad (@iamAhmadshahzad) September 14, 2015

Pakistan Super League will be officially launched on September 20. Looking forward to this event. #PSL #T20 #Lahore pic.twitter.com/h8XlmP0l4q

— Mazher Arshad (@cricket_U) September 15, 2015

There are also reports PSL organisers are in the final stages of reaching an agreement with Chris Gayle, Kumar Sangakkara & KP #Cricket #PSL

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) September 14, 2015