New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson suffered yet another embarrassment in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 Draft on January 13. The former New Zealand captain failed to find any Platinum takers in the 2025 PSL Draft after going unsold in the IPL. 2025 Mega Auction.
The PSL 2025 draft was held in Lahore on January 13, where 10 players were picked from the Platinum category, but Kane Williamson failed to attract any bids. The Black Caps legend is in great form with the bat and is currently playing in SA20 2025 in South Africa.
Kane Williamson remains unsold in PSL Draft 2025 after opting out of IPL 2025 auction
The right-handed batsman currently plays for the Durban Super Giants and started the season with a stunning 60* off 40 deliveries in SA20 2025, but that was not enough to convince the Pakistan Super League franchise owners to show their trust in l.
Kane Williamson, who is known for his technical brilliance in Tests and ODIs, has had his approach and lower strike rate often questioned in the fast-paced world of T20 cricket. His struggles to adjust to the aggressive demands of franchise leagues likely hurt his league appeal.
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Fitness concerns have also played a significant role in lowering his value in the world of franchise cricket. The 34-year-old battled multiple injuries and even he was ruled out of T20I cricket throughout 2023. Williamson played just two matches between 2022 and 2024.
THE BIGGEST SHOCK 📢
– Williamson unsold in IPL auction
– Williamson unsold in PSL Draft pic.twitter.com/iu7ZcWKrof—Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 13, 2025
Meanwhile, American batsman Andries Gous has signed for Islamabad United, becoming the second American player to play in PSL history after fast bowler Ali Khan. Well, Lahore Qalandars used Right to Match card for Tayyab Tahir in PSL 2025 Player Draft.
On the other hand, Peshawar Zalmi also used their Right to Match card for Tom Kohler-Cadmore in the draft. Former Australian opener David Warner, who also went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, is all set to make his Pakistan Super League debut after being picked by Karachi Kings.
David Warner is among the first picks in the Platinum category
Apart from David Warner, New Zealander Daryl Mitchell, New Zealander Mark Chapman and Michael Bracewell, England batsman Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Australian batsman Matthew Short were picked in the first round in the Platinum category.
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In the second round, Pakistan's Faheem Ashraf and Abbad Afridi, as well as New Zealanders Adam Milne and Finn Allen, were selected in the Platinum category at Monday's player draft. Notably, Quetta Gladiators and Karachi Kings used wildcards for Faheem Ashraf and Abbas Afridi respectively.
More surprises and big names in the two Platinum rounds! 🚨
➡️ Zalmi used the Right to Match card for Tom Kohler-Cadmore
➡️ Faheem Ashraf and Abbas Afridi were wildcard picksYour thoughts❓#HBLPSLDraft | #DECADEOFHBLPSL pic.twitter.com/wjVkFKZLrB
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) January 13, 2025
Here are the picks from PSL Draft 2025 so far:
Lahore Qalandars: Daryl Mitchell, Kusal Perera, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Mohammad Akhlaq, Momin Qamar
Peshawar Zalmi: Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Corbin Bosch, Abdul Samad (Wildcard), Nahid Rana, Hussain Talat, Ahmed Daniyal, Najibullah Zadran, Maaz Sadaqat
Multan Sultans: Michael Bracewell, Mohammad Hasnain, Kamran Ghulam, Akif Javed, Tayyab Tahir, Gudakesh Motie, Joshua Little, Shahid Aziz, Ubaid Shah
Islamabad United: Matthew Short, Jason Holder, Ben Dwarshuis, Salman Irshad, Mohammad Nawaz, Andries Ghous, Saad Masood, Hunain Shah,
Karachi Kings: David Warner, Adam Milne, Abbas Afridi (Wildcard), Khushdil Shah, Aamer Jamal, Mir Hamza, Litton Das, Riazullah, Fawad Ali
Quetta Gladiators: Mark Chapman, Faheem Ashraf, Finn Allen, Khurram Shahzad, Haseebullah Khan, Kyle Jamieson, Hasan Nawaz