Max Metcalfe and Robert White dive into all six franchises ahead of the 2024 Pakistan Super League
Captain: Shadab Khan
Coach: Azhar Mahmood
Headliners
Alex Hales will be looking to continue his all-conquering tour of the franchise leagues as he returns to Islamabad United for the second year running. His talents need no introduction and fresh off solid campaigns at the Big Bash and in the ILT20, there's no reason why he shouldn't excel again.
Haider Ali only joined the squad as a round four supplementary pick after missing out in the initial draft, but his signing was met by widespread support from United's supporters. The 23-year-old batter has previously played for Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings, and this tournament looks a perfect opportunity for him to re-state his claim to place in the Pakistan team - expect big things.
One to watch
Naseem Shah has long been something of a prodigy in Pakistan, but this feels like a big tournament for the 20-year-old.
After recovering from injury, Shah looks set to be fit for the tournament and, despite the wealth of experience brought by the likes of Tymal Mills and Obed McCoy, United's fortunes might well rest heavily on the performance of the Pakistan international.
Why they'll win the PSL
The two-time champions go into this edition with a punchy mixture of homegrown and international talent.
Mills, who joined the side for part of the tournament last year, is back again to form an experienced pace attack with Shah and McCoy. Elsewhere, the likes of Shadab Khan, Hales, and Colin Munro all return to a team which only missed out on the final on net run rate last year.
This Islamabad team is full of players who look capable of winning games on their own; put them all together and it could be a winning combination.
Why they won't win the PSL
Islamabad United's squad isn't especially creatively assembled and there's a sense that a couple of international players have been selected on name instead of form, something that could work against them. Mills can be good on his day but can be expensive on others, and there seem to be few alternatives if the big names aren't firing. Much will depend on Hales and Naseem, and it seems a risky strategy to pin a lot of hopes on a few players.
Squad: Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah, Jordan Cox, Imad Wasim, Azam Khan, Tymal Mills, Alex Hales, Faheem Ashraf, Colin Munro, Matthew Forde, Salman Agha, Qasim Akram, Shahab Khan, Rumman Raees, Hunain Shah, Ubaid Shah, Shamyl Hussain, Obed McCoy, Haider Ali, Tom Curran (injured), Muhammad Waseem (replacement for Tom Curran)
Possible XI: Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Haider Ali, Azam Khan, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Tymal Mills, Obed McCoy, Hunain Shah
Shadab Khan captains Islamabad United [Afif Hassan/Getty Images]
Captain: Shan Masood
Coach: Phil Simmons
Headliners
In James Vince and Shan Masood, Karachi have an experienced core. On their day, they're top-class cricketers and they've all been there and done it all before on the global T20 circuit. Karachi will be hoping that this doesn't prove to be 'just another franchise tournament' for their big names and that they can use their experience to the team's advantage.
The supplementary signing of Leus du Plooy also looks a very shrewd move on the part of the Kings. The batter has been in top form in the SA20 and will be hoping to maintain that before his first season with new club Middlesex .
One to watch
Arafat Minhas is one of the youngsters who will be looking to benefit from sharing a dressing room with the experienced internationals in the Karachi Kings' squad.
The Pakistan Under-19s allrounder was named in the team of the tournament at the Pakistan Junior League in 2023 and, having been part of the Multan Sultans' squad last season, this year represents an opportunity to make a name for himself.
Why they'll win the PSL
There's plenty of exciting young talent which, interspersed with a good helping of international experience, could well excel. If it doesn't quite go right for Karachi this year, that mixture of youth and experience will surely benefit the side in years to come.
On paper they might not be the strongest side, but experience really does go a long way in franchise cricket so don't be surprised if they manage to grind out a few wins to keep themselves in contention.
Why they won't win the PSL
For all their experience, the Karachi squad looks a little short of blockbuster names and especially light in the batting department. And it's probably fair to say the big names that they do have are no longer at the peak of their powers.
There are other PSL squads that look particularly exciting on paper, but this team seems to lack that star quality. Vince and co. will all have to recapture old form if the Kings are to be competitive, but stranger things have happened.
Squad: Shan Masood, Saad Baig, Anwar Ali, Mir Hamza, Shoaib Malik, Tabraiz Shamsi, Jamie Overton, Mohammad Amir Khan, Sirajuddin, Muhammad Akhlaq, Irfan Niazi, Daniel Sams, Mohammad Nawaz, Keiron Pollard, Zahid Mahmood (partial replacement for Kieron Pollard), James Vince, Tim Seifert (partial replacement for Kieron Pollard), Arafat Minhas, Leus du Plooy, Mohammad Rohid, Hassan Ali
Possible XI: Shan Masood, James Vince, Leus du Plooy, Irfan Niazi, Kieron Pollard, Daniel Sams, Jamie Overton, Mohammad Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Hassan Ali, Tabraiz Shamsi
James Vince is among the overseas options for Karachi Kings [Rizwan Tabassum/Getty Images]
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Captain: Shaheen Shah Afridi
Coach: Aqib Javed
Headliners
The Qalandars squad is overflowing with big names, and Pakistan bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Zaman Khan particularly draw the eye returning for another season.
At the other end of the lineup, the likes of Rassie van der Dussen and Shai Hope bring similar international quality to what is undoubtedly one of the strongest squads in the competition.
Sikandar Raza brings a further wealth of experience, and the Zimbabwe mainstay will be looking to play himself into a bit of form before an extended stint at Northants, having just been named in the ICC Men's T20I Team of the Year for a second season in a row.
One to watch
Whilst he had been performing for Middlesex for some seasons, his couple of stints in the PSL for Peshawar Zalmi felt like the launchpad for Dawid Malan's international white-ball career. Surrey's Dan Lawrence will be hoping that this campaign can have a similar effect on his, having been on the fringes of the England limited-overs squad for some time.
June's T20 World Cup might come a little soon, but depending on how England fare in it, there may well be some spots opening up in the future. He'll only be available for the knockout stages of the tournament, however, having been called up to England's Test squad as last-minute cover for Harry Brook.
Why they'll win the PSL
Having won the past two tournaments, why wouldn't you back them to complete a three-peat? There's plenty of batting to go around, and they have some of Pakistan's best and most experienced bowlers. Add in some explosive young talent and there's no reason to think they won't go close.
Why they won't win the PSL
In the absence of Rashid Khan, the Qalandars are probably short of a top-quality spinner. Relying on Raza's off-spin and Lawrence's part-time offies as the alternative seems a risky strategy, so they will have to use their reserve replacement pick wisely. Faridoun Mahmood could chip in with a few wickets, but the attack definitely needs bolstering.
Squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Rassie van der Dussen, Haris Rauf, David Wiese, Sahibzada Farhan, Sikandar Raza, Abdullah Shafique, Zaman Khan, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Ahsan Bhatti, Dan Lawrence (partially unavailable), Jahandad Kahn, Shai Hope, Kamran Ghulam, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Tayyab Abbas, Mirza Baig, Rashid Khan (injured), Syed Faridoun
Possible XI: Fakhar Zaman, Mirza Baig, Rassie van der Dussen, Shai Hope, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
Mohammad Rizwan was the leading run-scorer in PSL 8 [Aamir Qureshi/Getty Images]
Captain: Mohammad Rizwan
Coach: Abdul Rehman
Headliners
Where to start? Multan Sultans' roster is stacked with key players. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan – the winner of the Hanif Mohammad award for the most runs in PSL 8 – is a big boundary hitter and scored a century in last year's tournament. If he hits anything like the form he did in 2023, he will be up there as one of the most valued players in the PSL once again.
Turning to the bowlers, the Sultans have retained the top two most prolific bowlers from PSL 8 in Abbas Afridi and Ihsanullah, both of whom took over 20 wickets in the competition last season.
Their overseas cohort is also eye-catching, having drafted in the English trio of Dawid Malan, David Willey and Reece Topley. With these three on board, there is no shortage of x-factor quality.
One to watch
It is difficult narrow this down to a single choice. Afridi picked up the emerging player of the tournament award last year and Ihsanullah was selected as the player of the tournament in PSL 8 and, as they are both in their early 20s, it is hard to look past them as ones to watch, no matter how high profile the duo already are.
But young left-arm wrist-spinner Faisal Akram, although inexperienced, has plenty of promise. Although the 20-year-old is most likely going to play a secondary role to leg-spinner Usama Mir – the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the competition last season – Akram has been chosen as the Sultans' emerging player in the draft. He is certainly one to watch if he can break into the XI.
Why they'll win the PSL
The Sultans only lost to Lahore Qalandars by a single run in last year's final and have reached the final in each of the past three editions, winning the tournament in 2021. With the players at their disposal, they are a sure bet to be competitive this time out.
They have a balanced number of headliners between bat and ball and, having added the trio of experienced Englishmen in Willey, Malan and Topley, the Sultans are definitely up there as one of the tournament favourites.
Why they won't win the PSL
The Sultans have lost a key player in South African Rilee Rossouw – the third-highest run-scorer in PSL 8 – in a swap deal with Quetta Gladiators for Iftikhar Ahmed. Their new recruit did not have the strongest season in 2023, scoring just 189 runs in nine innings at an average of 23.63.
They have also lost box office six-hitter Kieron Pollard, further changing the complexion of their top six.
With replacements needed for No.3 and No.4 in their batting lineup, these changes carry potential risk and could come to the detriment of the side. Although they have drafted Malan, who will likely bat at No.3, there should be concerns about the middle order, in particular the absence of a finisher.
As for the tail, the Sultans do not bat particularly deep. Given the PSL title can be decided by such fine margins, this lack of depth could prove another issue for last year's runners-up.
Squad: Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Ihsanullah, Faisal Akram, Dawid Malan, Reeze Hendricks, Reece Topley, Tayyab Tahir, Shahnawaz Dahani, Mohammad Ali, Usman Khan, Yasir Khan, Chris Jordan, Aftab Ibrahim, David Willey, Johnson Charles, Muhammad Shahzad
Possible XI: Reeza Hendricks, Mohammad Rizwan, Dawid Malan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Tayyab Tahir, David Willey, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Reece Topley, Ihsanullah
Babar Azam and Saif Ayub open the batting for Peshawar Zalmi [Aamir Qureshi/Getty Images]
Captain: Babar Azam
Coach: Daren Sammy
Headliners
Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam is the clear dominant force in this lineup. The former Pakistan captain is one of the finest batters the country has ever produced and his consistency in the PSL is also outstanding. Last year, he finished second in the run-scoring charts with 533 at an average of 52.20.
Babar was also one of PSL 8's most prolific boundary hitters, as was fellow opener Saim Ayub. The 21-year-old made his mark on the PSL last season, scoring 341 runs, which earned him his T20I debut for Pakistan. PSL 9 will be a test for Ayub, but with a strike rate of 165.53 last year, he will certainly strike fear into a few bowlers.
The middle order is also explosive, with the Sultans retaining overseas players Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Rovman Powell, both of whom had strike rates above 160 in last year's competition.
One to watch
With young Afghan international Noor Ahmad making himself unavailable to Peshawar Zalmi due to international commitments, there is a clear opportunity for a spinner to cement a position in the starting XI.
Fellow Afghan left-arm leg spinner Waqar Salamkheil was drafted during the recent supplementary and replacement player draft and he has the ability to fill the primary spinner vacancy.
Although relatively inexperienced, Salamkheil comes into PSL 9 off the back of a strong showing for Trinbago Knight Riders in last year's Caribbean Premier League. The 22-year-old took 11 wickets at an average of 17.73.
Why they'll win the PSL
The batting lineup has plenty of depth and a nice mix of power and panache. It remains relatively unchanged from last season and between the top order there is plenty of experience.
Their batters can also take games away from their opponents. Kohler-Cadmore hit the joint-second most sixes in PSL 8 (21) and, alongside West Indies T20 captain Powell, he can produce some fireworks from the middle order.
With Babar, Ayub, and Mohammad Haris (who scored 350 runs in PSL 8) also in the mix, batting is Peshawar Zalmi's strength.
Why they won't win the PSL
While Peshawar Zalmi have plenty in the way of batting, their bowling attack is less exciting.
Yes, there are some big names, like England internationals Luke Wood and Gus Atkinson and Afghanistan's Naveen-ul-Haq. Allrounder Dan Mousley is also one to watch after topping the wicket-taking charts for Warwickshire in last year's T20 Blast.
But there isn't the same strength in depth as with the bat. Their squad certainly isn't as balanced as, say, Multan Sultans.
Squad: Babar Azam, Rovman Powell, Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Mohammad Haris, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Arshad Iqbal, Gus Atkinson, Haseebullah, Asif Ali, Naveen-ul-Haq, Umair Afridi, Dan Mousley, Mohammad Zeeshan, Waqar Salamkheil, Mehran Mumtaz, Salman Irshad, Arif Yaqoob, Luke Wood, Sufiyan Muqeem
Possible XI: Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Haris, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Rovman Powell, Asif Ali, Aamir Jamal, Naveen-ul-Haq, Gus Atkinson, Waqar Salamkheil, Salman Irshad
Rilee Rossouw has swapped Multan Sultans for Quetta Gladiators [Aamir Qureshi/Getty Images]
Captain: Sarfaraz Ahmed
Coach: Shane Watson
Headliners
Opening batter Jason Roy is one of the headline acts for the Quetta Gladiators. The England international had a strong PSL last time out, finishing the season with an average of 40.83 from seven games, including the highest score of anyone in the competition with 145 not out.
The Gladiators' addition of Rilee Rossouw from Multan Sultans gives them another x-factor batter. The South African was the third-highest run-scorer in PSL 8 and was tied second for sixes hit. His boundary hitting and power will be crucial if the Quetta Gladiators are to improve on previous seasons.
With the ball, Sri Lanka international Wanindu Hasaranga will be key. The leg-spinner had signed with the Gladiators last season but pulled out to manage his workload with international fixtures. He has taken over 230 wickets with an economy below seven across his T20 career.
One to watch
He took 11 wickets on his Test debut for Pakistan against England just over a year ago but Abrar Ahmed is still relatively inexperienced in PSL. In last year's competition, he took just three wickets for Islamabad United at an average of 30.66.
And yet the 22-year-old mystery spinner could be a hugely important player for Quetta Gladiators. Dubbed 'Harry Potter' by his peers, Ahmed has the deceptive magic of turning the ball both ways which bodes well for any spin bowler in the PSL.
He may miss the start of the tournament as he has been diagnosed with Sciatica and is currently undergoing rehabilitation. But the leg-spinner has shown he has plenty of ability in his short career to date, so if he gets fit he could be a handful for batters.
Why they'll win the PSL
The combination of Roy and Rossouw in the top order should lead to plenty of runs and some monstrous sixes if they hit anything like the form of which they are capable.
Quetta Gladiators also have a strong number of allrounders, with the likes of Hasaranga and Mohammad Wasim Jnr. They will both be important players with both bat and ball, but particularly Hasaranga, who pulled out at a crucial time last year to manage his workload for Sri Lanka. He will leave the squad during the tournament because of his international obligations this year but, when available, he will be a crucial player for the Gladiators.
The strength of the allrounders means the side also bats relatively deep compared to other sides. This short tail will prove crucial if the Gladiators are to have a successful year.
Why they won't win the PSL
Although the Quetta Gladiators have added Rossouw, they have lost opener Martin Guptill. The 37-year-old performed well in PSL 8, finishing among the top-10 run-scorers, and his absence means Roy will need a new opening partner.
Their bowling statistics from last season do not make for great reading. Mohammad Hasnain, for example, only picked up eight wickets, while leading wicket-taker Mohammad Nawaz (nine) has moved to Multan Sultans.
Oh, and they've failed to get out of the group stages for the past four seasons, so history isn't on their side.
Squad: Rilee Rossouw, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Jason Roy, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Amir, Will Smeed, Saud Shakeel, Sajjad Ali Jnr, Usman Qadir, Adil Naz, Khawaja Nafay, Akeal Hosein, Sohail Khan, Omair Yousuf, Sherfane Rutherford, Bismallah Khan, Laurie Evans
Possible XI: Jason Roy, Will Smeed, Rilee Rossouw, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Qadir
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