PSL:Mohammad Junaid will be the youngest player to feature

KARACHI: All six Pakistan Super League franchises completed their extended squad of 21 players after confirming their final picks from emerging categories and respective talent hunt programs on Friday.

The PSL franchises, via a teleconference, confirmed their picks to PSL’s management. Most of the players included in the teams’ extended squads are from the emerging category.

Shan Masood (picked by Multan Sultans) and Imran Khan Jr. (picked by Lahore Qalandars) are the only players to be picked with some experience of international cricket to their credit.

28-year-old Shan Masood, who has represented Pakistan in 12 Test matches, was picked by Multan Sultans in the Silver category as the franchise utilised the maximum of increase of $25,000 salary purse.

Imran Khan Jr. was picked by Lahore Qalandars from the Silver category. Imran has represented Pakistan in 3 T20Is.

The Lahore Qalandars franchise has also added a fast bowler from Azad Kashmir, Salman Irshad, to their extended squad. Salman was picked by Qalandars during this years’ Rising Stars talent hunt program.

Salman Irshad was also sent to Australia by Qalandars with rising stars squad for a quadrangular series.

Quetta Gladiators, two times finalists, have included left-arm-spinner Mohammad Junaid to the squad. The Quetta based all-rounder was picked by the squad during a talent hunt program in the city.

Junaid is also among the standby players for Pakistan’s U19 squad. Born in May 2002, Junaid – aged younger than 16 – will be the youngest player to feature in PSL squads.

Peshawar Zalmi have picked 22-year-old Khushdil Shah, a player from Bannu, to their squad. Khushdil has played some impressive innings in the on-going domestic season of Pakistan.

Former champions Islamabad United have picked 16-year-old Rohail Nazir to the squad. Rohail is currently travelling with Pakistan U19 squad for the tour of Australia and World Cup in New Zealand.

Rohail, a wicket-keeper batsman, was Pakistan’s highest run scorer during U16 series against Australia. He was also a member of Lahore Qalandars’ Jazz Rising Stars squad team that toured Australia earlier this year.

Karachi Kings have picked Mohammad Taha in emerging category while Mushtaq Ahmed Kalhoro has been added by Kings as their talent hunt pick.