Lahore to host 2017 PSL final

Dubai - Afridi gives up Peshawar Zalmi captaincy for Sammy

Some of the biggest names in cricket descended on the Dubai Sports City Dome for the PSL 2 draft on a wonderful Wednesday evening.
There was the iconic Viv Richards with the customary swagger and Wasim Akram -- the Sultan of Swing -- charmed everyone with that infectious smile.
But it was Shahid Afridi who stole the show with a great gesture.
The maverick all-rounder, after being retained by Peshawar Zalmi, surprised the audience by announcing that Darren Sammy would replace him as the team captain in the second edition of the Pakistan Super League.
"I take this opportunity to announce that I would not captain the Peshawar team. Darren Sammy would lead the team," Afridi said.

"Darren didn't get the respect he deserved from the West Indies Cricket Board. But we know how to respect champions. And Darren is a champion," said Afridi, referring to Sammy's spat with his cricket board after leading West Indies to their second T20 World title this year in India.
But that was not the biggest announcement of the day.
The biggest announcement of them all came even before the start of the actual event!
PSL chairman Najam Sethi drew the loudest cheers from the audience when he declared that 2017 PSL final would be held in Lahore.
"The biggest achievement of this tournament is that the players are now ready to play in Pakistan. Yes, the final of the new tournament will be held in Lahore," Sethi said during his inaugural speech.
"We have shown the world in the first year that we can host big tournaments. Now the second edition will be even bigger and better. And the best thing is that we are taking the final to Pakistan. I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for your support," an emotional Sethi said on Wednesday.
With almost all the teams retaining their big players, the second edition of the tournament will no doubt be even more exciting.
Karachi Kings, who were knocked out in the Eliminator last season after finishing fourth in the five-team league, are the strongest team on paper with superstars like Chris Gayle and Kumar Sangakkara in their squad.
They also have the veteran Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik, fast bowling sensation Mohammad Amir and aggressive West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard.
None of the franchises revealed how much they spent on each player. 
 
Platinum Category
Lahore Qalandars: Brendon McCullum
Karachi Kings: Chris Gayle
Peshawar Zalmi: Shahid Afridi
Quetta Gladiators: Kevin Pietersen
Islamabad United: Misbah Ul Haq
Lahore Qalandars: Sunil Narine
Karachi Kings: Kieron Pollard
Peshawar Zalmi: Eoin Morgan
Quetta Gladiators: Sarfraz Ahmed
Islamabad United: Shane Watson
Lahore Qalandars: Umar Akmal
Peshawar Zalmi: Wahab Riaz
Quetta Gladiators: Ahmed Shehzad
Islamabad United: Andre Russell
Diamond Category
Lahore Qalandars: Sohail Tanveer
Karachi Kings: Mohammad Amir
Peshawar Zalmi Shakib Al Hassan
Quetta Gladiators Carlos Brathwaite
Islamabad United Sharjeel Khan
Lahore Qalandars Dwayne Bravo
Karachi Kings: Ravi Bopara
Peshawar Zalmi: Darren Sammy
Quetta Gladiators: Luke Wright
Islamabad United: Mohammad Irfan
Lahore Qalandars: Yasir Shah
Karachi Kings: Kumar Sangakkara
Peshawar Zalmi: Mohammad Hafeez
Quetta Gladiators: Anwar Ali
Islamabad United: Samuel Badree
rituraj@khaleejtimes.com