Lahore Qalandars have retained Rashid Khan in the Silver category ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine's draft.
Defending champion retained their skipper Shaheen Afridi only in the Platinum category and many have been surprised that Rashid is not retained in the same category since he is a Platinum Category player.
However, the Afghanistan star cricketer had promised COO Sameen Rana during the PSL 7 that he would be available in any category for Lahore Qalandars because of his connection with the franchise.
"'Even if he is not available, he is gonna be retained by Lahore Qalandars," Sameen Rana had said.
"If he [Sameen Rana] picks me in the lowest category, I will make sure that I am available in that category," Rashid replied.
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Remember, Rashid underwent surgery recently after suffering a back injury. He also withdrew from Australia's Big Bash League (BBL) where he had to represent Adelaide Strikers.
On Thursday, the PCB announced the list of players retained by all six franchises.
Full retentions:
Lahore Qalandars (8): Shaheen Shah Afridi (Platinum), Haris Rauf (Brand Ambassador) and David Wiese (both Diamond), Sikandar Raza, Abdullah Shafique and Zaman Khan (all Gold), Mirza Tahir Baig (Successful relegation request) and Rashid Khan (both Silver).
Islamabad United (8): Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah (both Platinum), Imad Wasim (Mentor) and Azam Khan (both Diamond), Faheem Ashraf (Brand Ambassador), Alex Hales and Colin Munro (all Gold), Rumman Raees (Successful relegation request in Silver).
Multan Sultans (7): Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed (both Platinum), Khushdil Shah and Usama Mir (both Diamond), Abbas Afridi (Gold), Ihsanullah (Brand Ambassador, Silver), Faisal Akram (Emerging).
Karachi Kings (8): James Vince and Hasan Ali (Diamond), Shan Masood (Brand Ambassador), Shoaib Malik (Mentor) and Tabraiz Shamsi (all Gold), Mir Hamza (Successful relegation request) and Muhammad Akhlaq (both Silver), Muhammad Irfan Khan (Emerging).
Quetta Gladiators (8): Rilee Rossouw (Platinum), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Jason Roy and Wanindu Hasaranga (all Diamond), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Brand Ambassador) Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Hasnain (all Gold), Will Smeed (Silver).
Peshawar Zalmi (8): Babar Azam and Rovman Powell (both Platinum), Saim Ayub and Tom Kohler-Cadmore (all Diamond), Mohammad Haris (Brand Ambassador) and Aamir Jamal (both Gold), Khurram Shahzad (Silver), Haseebullah (Emerging).
- Rashid Khan