KARACHI: Pakistan’s spinning all-rounder Imad Wasim Saturday announced he would come out of retirement for this year’s Twenty20 World Cup, four months after ending his international career.
The 35-year-old left-handed batter and spinner anchored Islamabad United’s title triumph in the Pakistan Super League with both bat and ball in the final on Monday.
Wasim said he wanted to play for Pakistan.
“I am happy to announce that pursuant to meeting PCB [Pakistan Cricket Board] officials, I have reconsidered my retirement and am delighted to declare my availability for Pakistan leading up to ICC [International Cricket Council] T20I World Cup,” he wrote on social media.
The 20-team World Cup will start in the United States and the West Indies from June 1 this year.
Wasim played 55 one-day internationals and 66 Twenty20Is for Pakistan and was a key all-rounder but his fitness and attitude were described as hindrance in his career by the previous selection committee.
He was part of Pakistan’s Twenty20 squad in the series against New Zealand in April last year but his axing from ODI World Cup in November prompted him to retire.
Pakistan are due to play a five-match home T20I series against New Zealand next month before touring Ireland and England for six more matches, all build-up to the World Cup.
Pakistan’s Imad Wasim reverses retirement to play Twenty20 World Cup
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Pakistan’s Imad Wasim reverses retirement to play Twenty20 World Cup
- The Pakistani all-rounder anchored Islamabad United’s title triumph in PSL tournament with bat and ball
- He announced retirement after the selection team dropped him ahead of the ODI World Cup last November
PCB sets Feb. 11 as date for player auction for Pakistan Super League 11th edition
- The squad composition would be a minimum of 16 players and a maximum of 20
- The number of foreign players would be five to seven depending on the squad size
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced that the player auction for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be held on Feb. 11, setting the stage for franchises to begin assembling squads for the country’s premier Twenty20 tournament.
The development came after a workshop regarding PSL player auction at the Qaddafi Stadium, which was presided over by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and PSL CEO Salman Naseer.
The workshop was attended by PSL officials, all eight franchise representatives, members of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad, PCB officials and other capped players.
“The HBL PSL management shared a detailed presentation on the mechanics of the retention and the auction process and consulted with all the participants,” the PCB said.
“It was agreed that the HBL PSL player auction will take place on Wednesday, 11 February.”
The squad composition would be a minimum of 16 players and maximum of 20 players per franchise. The number of foreign players would be five to seven depending on the squad size, according to the PCB.
It would be mandatory for the franchises to play minimum of three and maximum of four foreign players in the playing XI. The teams are also required to have minimum of two uncapped Under 23 players in the squad and one in the playing XI.
Players either retained or picked in the auction will be engaged for two-year contracts with their respective franchise teams, the board said, adding that franchise teams will be able to retain a maximum of seven players for the 12th edition of the tournament.
“I’m delighted that a consultative and productive session was held between the franchises, players and management today resulting in informed and strategic decisions which will pave the way for bright future for the HBL PSL,” Naqvi said.
“The Player Auction model is a landmark step for the HBL PSL, offering players better financial opportunities through an increased salary purse and a transparent acquisition process, while making the league more competitive and attractive.”
PSL CEO Naseer said the player auction system modernizes player recruitment by promoting fairness, transparency, and market-driven value, strengthening the PSL’s appeal for both players and franchises.
“Today’s workshop saw all views being taken into consideration and this rich feedback will be reflected in our execution of a successful player auction scheduled next month,” he said.
PSL has become a key pillar of the country’s cricket economy, providing financial stability to the PCB and serving as a talent pipeline for the national team. The 11th edition of the league is set to begin from Mar. 26 while the final is expected to be played on May 3, as per the PCB’s schedule.
