The excitement is already building for the upcoming season of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023, as fans eagerly await the return of their favorite cricket league. One of the most anticipated moments of the lead-up to the new season is the announcement of the players retained by each team. This article will provide a complete list of the players retained by each team, giving fans a better idea of what to expect from their team in the upcoming season.
Must Visit: Commonwealth Games 2023 Complete Schedule
Islamabad United
Defending champions Islamabad United have decided to retain nine players from their championship-winning squad from the 2022 season. Their retained players are:
Platinum Category
- Shadab Khan (captain)
- Colin Munro
- Faheem Ashraf
Diamond Category
- Hussain Talat
- Iftikhar Ahmed
Gold Category
- Asif Ali
- Akif Javed
Silver Category
- Mohammad Wasim Jr.
- Musa Khan
Karachi Kings
The Karachi Kings, who finished third in the 2022 season, have retained ten players from their squad. Their retained players are:
Platinum Category
- Babar Azam (captain)
- Mohammad Nabi
- Sharjeel Khan
Diamond Category
- Dan Christian
- Colin Ingram
Gold Category
- Waqas Maqsood
- Imad Wasim
Silver Category
- Mohammad Amir
- Arshad Iqbal
- Danish Aziz
Lahore Qalandars
Lahore Qalandars, who lost to Islamabad United in the final of the 2022 season, have retained nine players from their squad. Their retained players are:
Platinum Category
- Shaheen Afridi
- Fakhar Zaman
Diamond Category
- Rashid Khan
- James Faulkner
Gold Category
- Sohail Akhtar (captain)
- Haris Rauf
Silver Category
- Maaz Khan
- Dilbar Hussain
- Muhammad Zaid Alam
Multan Sultans
Multan Sultans, who finished fifth in the 2022 season, have retained ten players from their squad. Their retained players are:
Platinum Category
- Mohammad Rizwan (captain)
- Shahnawaz Dhani
- Imran Tahir
Diamond Category
- Sohaib Maqsood
- Shan Masood
Gold Category
- Khushdil Shah
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Silver Category
- Usman Qadir
- Imran Khan Sr.
- Sohail Khan
Peshawar Zalmi
Peshawar Zalmi, who finished fourth in the 2022 season, have retained nine players from their squad. Their retained players are:
Platinum Category
- Wahab Riaz (captain)
- Kamran Akmal
- Haider Ali
Diamond Category
- Shoaib Malik
- Ravi Bopara
Gold Category
- Mohammad Irfan
- Umaid Asif
Silver Category
- Abrar Ahmed
- Mohammad Imran Randhawa
Quetta Gladiators
Finally, the Quetta Gladiators, who finished last in the 2022 season, have retained ten players from their squad. Their retained players are:
Platinum Category
- Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain)
- Azam Khan
- Mohammad Nawaz
Diamond Category
- Andre Russell
- Faf du Plessis
Gold Category
- Jack Wildermuth
- Mohammad Hasnain
Silver Category
- Khurram Shahzad
- Zahid Mahmood
- Usman Shinwari
Now that we have the complete list of retained players for each team in the PSL 2023, let’s analyze each team’s strategy and the potential strengths and weaknesses of their squad.
Islamabad United
The defending champions, Islamabad United, have retained the core of their championship-winning squad from the 2022 season, with nine players retained. Their retained players cover all the key areas of the team, including the top-order batting, middle-order all-rounders, spin bowling, and pace bowling. With Shadab Khan leading the side and a well-balanced squad, Islamabad United will be the team to beat in the upcoming season.
Karachi Kings
Karachi Kings, the third-place finisher in the 2022 season, have retained ten players from their squad, including their captain Babar Azam. The Kings have a strong batting line-up with Babar Azam, Sharjeel Khan, Colin Ingram, and Dan Christian. Their bowling department is also well balanced with Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nabi, and Imad Wasim leading the way. The Kings will be looking to build on their performance from last season and compete for the title in PSL 2023.
Lahore Qalandars
Lahore Qalandars have retained nine players from their squad that finished as runners-up in the 2022 season. The Qalandars have retained the services of their key players, including Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Rashid Khan, and James Faulkner. The Qalandars have a good balance of experience and youth in their squad, and with a new captain in Sohail Akhtar, they will be looking to go one step further and win the title in PSL 2023.
Multan Sultans
Multan Sultans, who finished fifth in the 2022 season, have retained ten players from their squad, including their captain Mohammad Rizwan. The Sultans have a strong batting line-up with Mohammad Rizwan, Sohaib Maqsood, and Khushdil Shah leading the way. Their bowling department is also well balanced with Shahnawaz Dhani and Imran Tahir leading the way. The Sultans will be hoping to improve on their performance from last season and challenge for the title in PSL 2023.
Peshawar Zalmi
Peshawar Zalmi, the fourth-place finisher in the 2022 season, have retained nine players from their squad, including their captain Wahab Riaz. The Zalmi have a strong batting line-up with Kamran Akmal, Haider Ali, and Ravi Bopara leading the way. Their bowling department is led by Wahab Riaz, who will be hoping to inspire his team to go all the way in PSL 2023.
Quetta Gladiators
Finally, the Quetta Gladiators, who finished last in the 2022 season, have retained ten players from their squad, including their captain Sarfaraz Ahmed. The Gladiators have strengthened their squad with the inclusion of Faf du Plessis and Andre Russell. The Gladiators have a strong batting line-up with du Plessis, Sarfar.
Quetta Gladiators (continued)
Ahmed, Azam Khan, and Andre Russell leading the way. Their bowling department is led by Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, and Usman Shinwari. The Gladiators will be hoping for a better performance this season, and with the addition of du Plessis and Russell, they have the potential to challenge for the title in PSL 2023.
FAQs
When will PSL 2023 start?
The dates for PSL 2023 have not been announced yet.
Which team won PSL 2022?
Islamabad United won PSL 2022.
Who is the captain of the Karachi Kings?
Babar Azam is the captain of the Karachi Kings.
How many teams are there in PSL 2023?
There will be six teams in PSL 2023.
Who is the highest wicket-taker in PSL history?
Hasan Ali is the highest wicket-taker in PSL history.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the retained players’ list for PSL 2023 shows that each team has its strengths and weaknesses. The defending champions Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, and Lahore Qalandars have retained most of their core players and will be the favorites to compete for the title in PSL 2023. The Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi have also retained a strong squad and will be looking to challenge for the title. The Quetta Gladiators have strengthened their squad with the addition of Faf du Plessis and Andre Russell and will be hoping for a better performance this season.
