Superstars of world cricket such as Chris Gayle, Rashid Khan and Dale Steyn are among the 25 overseas players to register their names in the platinum category for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021 player draft.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also put national skipper Babar Azam, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir in the platinum category.

In a media release, the PCB confirmed that the foreign players in other categories include No. 1 T20I batsman Dawid Malan, Dwayne Bravo, Chris Lynn, Alex Hales, Morne Morkel, Mohammad Nabi, Imran Tahir, Tom Banton, and Chris Jordan.

“With a packed international calendar during the February – March window this year, some of the foreign players will only be partially available for the competition,” the PCB said in a statement.

The six franchises will now be making key trade and retention decisions before the draft, with each team allowed a maximum of eight retentions.

South Africa’s David Miller, who is yet to play in the PSL, will be one of the most sought after players for the franchises, the press release added.

Morkel, Rassie van der Dussen, Tahir, Colin Ingram, and Rilee Rossouw have also been named in the Platinum category.

The West Indian representation on the Platinum list also includes Dwayne Bravo, Carlos Brathwaite  Lendl Simmons and Evin Lewis.

“Besides Malan, England’s Alex Hales who was part of the Kings’ winning squad in last year’s edition is also in the list. Moeen Ali (Sultans), Chris Jordan (Zalmi and Kings) and Tom Banton (Zalmi) are also part of the Platinum roster,” the PCB said.

“Spinner Mujeeb-ur-Rehman and all-rounder Mohammad Nabi (Gladiators) are the two other Afghanistan players on the list along with Rashid. Sri Lanka’s Thisara Perera (Gladiators and Sultan) and Isuru Udana also feature on the list. Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman and Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichanne who have both played for Qalandars in the past complete the list,” it added.

The PSL 2021 draft will be held in Lahore on January 10.

(With PTI inputs)