Multan Sultans, who are the latest entrants in the Pakistan Super League, picked their first nine players for the upcoming third edition of the league.
The Multan based franchise managed to snap up Pakistan stalwart Shoaib Malik and West Indies T20I specialist Keiron Pollard as their platinum picks for the player draft.
Pollard, along with Kumar Sangakkara, are the two overseas imports for the new franchise.
The former Sri Lanka batsman was the diamond pick for the Multan based outfit and will also double up with a mentorship role in the upcoming edition of the PSL.
It’s time to reveal the #SultanSquad !
Our Platinum pick from the pre-draft pool is Shoaib Malik! #MultanSultans pic.twitter.com/zSvXU2bS8v— Multan Sultans (@MultanSultans) October 10, 2017
Malik meanwhile was a part of the Karachi Kings franchise for the first two editions of the PSL but his contract with the outfit came to an end last week.
The other picks for the outfit included Sohail Tanvir, Sohaib Maqsood, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Kashif Bhatti and Irfan Khan.
Irfan, the tall Pakistan pacer is just returning to cricket after serving a suspension for failure to disclose suspicious bookie approaches in the past.
He was selected as the gold pick by Multan Sultans and will also serve in an ambassadorial role for the outfit.
📣 The first look at the @MultanSultans squad revealed. Let us know what you think in the comments. #AbKhel6Ka pic.twitter.com/fyNfShocCr
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) October 10, 2017
Maqsood meanwhile is a native of Multan and will turn up for his home side in the third edition of the PSL.
“Multan Sultans have gone for experience and a strong Pakistani core with this selection,” said Multan Sultans President Asher Schon in a press statement.
“We would like to welcome the first nine Sultans on board and we can’t wait for the main draft to build on this selection,” he added.
The Multan Sultans have roped in Australia’s Tom Moody as coach ahead of the new season while Pakistan bowling great Wasim Akram will be the team’s mentor.