Peshawar Zalmi reportedly tried to put pressure on players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Haris and Saim Ayub to keep them firmly in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has stepped in to ensure that players, including Babar Azam, are not forced to make decisions on their retention.
All six teams in the Pakistan Super League, on Saturday, January 4, announced their retained players ahead of the 2025 season. Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, and Haris Rauf Kanawa Among the retained Pakistani players.
Peshawar Zalmi is accused of pressuring Saim Ayub and Muhammad Haris to stay
Pakistani sports journalist Qadir Khawaja claimed that Peshawar Zalmi pressured Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris to stay with the team. The journalist also pointed out that Babar Azam is yet to confirm that he will retain the franchise. The Pakistan Super League draft is scheduled to be held next week.
The PCB began contacting players individually to confirm their approval, with a tweet from the PCB confirming that they were verifying player approval, especially regarding the retention of Babar Azam. Qadir Khawaja stated that both Haris and Ayub were retained despite their desire to leave Peshawar Zalmi.
🚨 Peshawar Zalmi threatened several players with forced retention. 🚨 (Qadir Khawaja).
– Mohamed Haris and Saim Ayoub wanted to leave PZ, but for some reason Zalmi kept both of them.
– This is why the PCB asks everyone for their consent. pic.twitter.com/mQS4prqIDr
– 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞 (@CallMeSheri1) January 4, 2025
🚨 @thePSLT20 The tweet has now been deleted. pic.twitter.com/VKHWmr2CW7
– 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞 (@CallMeSheri1) January 4, 2025
Babar Azam responds to Peshawar Zalmi's accusations
Babar appeared to refute the reports by reposting a story from Peshawar Zalmi on his official Instagram account. The post included a picture showing Babar, Saim Ayoub, Muhammad Haris, Arif Yaqoub, Mehran Mumtaz, Sufyan Muqeem, and Ali Reda.
🚨 Babar Azam reposted the story of Peshawar Zalmi. pic.twitter.com/M2PR7bIzFP
– 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞 (@CallMeSheri1) January 4, 2025
For the 2025 PSL season, each team was allowed to retain a maximum of eight players. Three teams used the full quota, while the other three teams kept seven players each.
Three-time PSL champion Islamabad United retained Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan in the Platinum category, along with Colin Munro in the Silver category. Lahore Qalandars kept Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Afridi in the platinum category. Mohammad Amir and Reilly Rousseau are set to play for Quetta Gladiators.
Complete list of retention of Pakistan Super League
Islamabad United: Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah (both Platinum), Imad Wasim (Murshid), Azam Khan (Diamond), Salman Ali Agha (Brand Ambassador) and Haider Ali (both Gold), Colin Munro and Rumman Rais (both Silver).
Sultans of Multan: Muhammad Rizwan and Osama Mir (both Platinum), David Willey (Both Platinum), Iftikhar Ahmed (Brand Ambassador), Usman Khan (All Diamonds), Chris Jordan (Gold), Faisal Akram (Silver) Peshawar Zalmi (7): Babar Azzam, Saim Ayoub (both Platinum), Mohammad Haris (Daisy), Arif Yaqoob, Mehran Mumtaz and Sufyan Muqeem (Brandmark) Al-Safir) (full silver), Ali Reza (emerging)
Quetta Wrestlers: Abrar Ahmed, Muhammad Amir (Guide) and Riley Russo (All Diamond), Akil Hussain, Saud Shakeel (Brand Ambassador) and Muhammad Waseem Jr (All Gold), Khawaja Muhammad Nafi and Usman Tariq (Silver).
Karachi Kings: Hasan Ali and James Vince (both diamond), Muhammad Irfan Khan and Shan Masood (both gold), Arafat Minhas (brand ambassador), Tim Seifert and Zahid Mahmood (both silver).
Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar Zaman (both platinum), Haris Rauf (brand ambassador) and Sikandar Raza (both diamond), Abdullah Shafiq, Jahandad Khan and Zaman Khan (both gold), David Wise (silver).
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