Kevin Pietersen signs up for the Pakistan Super League
After the recruitments of T20 superstars Chris Gayle, Darren Sammy and Shahid Afridi, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been even more glammed up with the addition of Kevin Pietersen. Pietersen, who is almost sure never to get a recall to the England national team because of his difficult relations with the management, is one of the most sought after freelancers in the T20 circuit.
Pietersen confirmed his involvement via a video message played during the launch of the 2016 PSL in Lahore on Sunday. The dashing batsman turns out for St Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean Premier League, the Dolphins franchise in South Africa's Ram Slam, and the Melbourne Stars in the KFC T20 Big Bash.
He was also picked for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the previous edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), but ditched his contract for county championship cricket with Surrey in a bid to come back in the England national setup
"Absolutely buzzing to be a part of the Pakistani mela (event) coming up in February. I can't wait to get it started," Pietersen said on the occasion of the PSL.
"It looks like it is going to be a wonderful competition. Lots of fun, lots of sixes, lots of wickets, typical T20 stuff."
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. All players, including 25 international players, will be taken by the franchises after a player draft system.
The PCB has succeeded in securing Dubai and Sharjah as venues for the event, but at the cost of having to share the facilities with the organisers of the planned Masters Cricket League.
Pakistan Super League signings so far
Australia: Brad Hodge
England: Kevin Pietersen, Ravi Bopara, Luke Wright, Tim Bresnan, Jade Dernbach, Chris Jordan
West Indies: Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy, Sunil Narine, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Denesh Ramdin, Jason Holder
New Zealand: Jesse Ryder, Grant Elliott, James Franklin
Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan
Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews, Lasith Malinga, Thisara Perera
South Africa: Johan Botha