5 surprises from the PSL Draft 2015

Former cricketers during the second day of the PSL DraftMany former and current cricketers of the Pakistan cricket team have found themselves picked by their respective franchises, in the ongoing Draft of the Pakistan Super League. Though most names were expected to be picked, there were some surprises in store, for some former and current cricketers.For instance, a player with a significant amount of experience in international cricket, had to be satisfied after being picked in the Silver Category. Each team was allowed to pick players in categories like Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver and emerging, in descending order of price tag. The prices for these categories were $140,000, $70,000, $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 respectively.Despite achieving glory for their country, some prominent players were either unpicked or ‘demoted’, thus raising eyebrows in the cricketing circles.

#1 Younis Khan

Younis Khan led Pakistan to World T20 win in 2009

Probabaly the biggest surprise of the PSL Draft, recently retired cricketer Younis Khan, was not picked by any of the 5 franchises. The 38-year old who became the leading run-scorer in Test cricket for Pakistan, was ignored by all franchises, on both days of the draft.

The former captain’s exclusion did raise eyebrows, as Pakistan had achieved World T20 glory under his captaincy in 2009. The recent form of Younis in limited-over cricket, just before his retirement, did contribute to his exclusion from the draft, and tilted odds against him.

#2 Saeed Ajmal

Ajmal was chosen in the last round

The Pakistani offspinner was once the go-to man for Pakistan in all foramts of the gamae. But, ever since a ban was imposed on his bowling action, Ajmal has struggled to make a comeback to the Pakistani national team.

Despite modifying his bowling action, he hasn't had luck in making a comeback in the squad and it is unlikely that Ajmal will ever represent his country again. The 38-year-old played 3 matches in Bangladesh Premier League for his franchise Chittagong Vikings. But he was subsequently dropped from their side in the later half of the tournament, due to poor form.

#3 Zafar Gohar

Gohar was picked in the Silver category ahead of Pakistani ODI captain

Zafar Gohar must be thanking his lucky stars, as he was picked up by the Lahore Qalandars franchise in the Silver category. The 20-year old all-rounder with just 1 international game to his name, was chosen in the Silver category ahead of other experienced players.

Even more surprisingly, the same franchise chose Pakistani ODI captain Azhar Ali among the ‘emerging players’ category. By means of this, Zafar Gohar will strangely get to earn more money than his skipper.

#4 Abdul Razzaq

The big-hitting allrounder was picked in the supplementary list

Veteran Pakistani all-rounder Abdul Razzaq’s heart would have been in his mouth, as he had to wait till the last hour of the last day of the draft, to be finally picked by Lahore Qalandars, for the first season of the PSL.

That Razzaq was picked in the end, that too as part of the supplimentary category, did seem surprising, considering his big hitting abilities with the bat and his decent bowling. For a long time, the 36-year old was one of the best all-rounders for Pakistan in both Tests and ODIs.

#5 Shane Watson

Watson was surprisingly Islamabad's first pick

Though Shane Watson's name in any T20 team isn't a surprise, what was amusing was the fact that Islamabad chose Watson as their first pick, ahead of former Pakistani skipper Misbah-ul-Haq.

Yet, both the players belonged to the same category-Platinum. However, Misbah was chosen as captain to lead the squad, despite being picked last in the topmost category. That the Australian all-rounder was given more prominence/value ahead of their beloved player, did seem surprising for a few Pakistani fans.