New Zealand batting maestro Kane Williamson faced another disappointment at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 Draft held on January 13 in Lahore.
Despite his stellar form in the ongoing SA20 league in South Africa, Williamson failed to attract any bids in the Platinum category, following his earlier snub at the IPL 2025 mega auction.
The PSL 2025 Draft saw 10 players selected in the Platinum category, but the former New Zealand captain was overlooked.
Currently playing for Durban’s Super Giants in SA20 2025, Williamson showcased his class with an unbeaten 60 off 40 balls in his first outing.
However, his low strike rate and struggles to meet the aggressive demands of T20 cricket appear to have deterred PSL franchise owners.
Additionally, fitness concerns, including limited T20 appearances between 2022 and 2024, have impacted his value in franchise leagues.
Meanwhile, USA wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous signed with Islamabad United, becoming the second American to feature in PSL history after pacer Ali Khan.
Lahore Qalandars used their Right to Match Card to retain Tayyab Tahir, while Peshawar Zalmi did the same for Tom Kohler-Cadmore.
Former Australian opener David Warner, another high-profile player left unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, is set to debut in the PSL after being picked by Karachi Kings.
Other Platinum category picks in the first round included New Zealand all-rounders Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, England’s Tom Kohler-Cadmore, and Australian wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Short.
In the second round of the Platinum category, Pakistan’s Faheem Ashraf and Abbas Afridi were retained through wildcards by Quetta Gladiators and Karachi Kings, respectively, while Adam Milne and Finn Allen from New Zealand also secured deals.
Key Picks from the PSL 2025 Draft
Lahore Qalandars: Daryl Mitchell, Kusal Perera, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Mohammad Akhlaq, Momin Qamar
Peshawar Zalmi: Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Corbin Bosch, Abdul Samad (Wildcard), Nahid Rana, Hussain Talat, Ahmed Daniyal, Najibullah Zadran, Maaz Sadaqat
Multan Sultans: Michael Bracewell, Mohammad Hasnain, Kamran Ghulam, Akif Javed, Tayyab Tahir, Gudakesh Motie, Joshua Little, Shahid Aziz, Ubaid Shah
Islamabad United: Matthew Short, Jason Holder, Ben Dwarshuis, Salman Irshad, Mohammad Nawaz, Andries Gous, Saad Masood, Hunain Shah
Karachi Kings: David Warner, Adam Milne, Abbas Afridi (Wildcard), Khushdil Shah, Aamer Jamal, Mir Hamza, Litton Das, Riazullah, Fawad Ali
Quetta Gladiators: Mark Chapman, Faheem Ashraf, Finn Allen, Khurram Shahzad, Haseebullah Khan, Kyle Jamieson, Hasan Nawaz
With plenty of talent secured and surprises aplenty, the PSL 2025 promises to deliver a thrilling season.