J’cans drafted into PSL

The 2021 Pakistan Super League (PSL) will have a little more Jamaican flavour as some of the island's top cricketers have signed on as replacement players for the competition which will restart in June.

The PSL was suspended in March after an outbreak of COVID-19 within the tournament's bubble. It is due to recommence on Tuesday, June 1.

West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell, ranked the third-best Twenty20 (T20) player in the world by the T20 Player Index, will join Quetta Gladiators in the absence of England international batsman Tom Banton.

Jamaica Tallawahs captain Rovman Powell replaces Liam Livingstone at Peshawar Zalmi, while Fabian Allen will be making his second stint in the PSL also at Zalmi, after replacing Mujeeb Ur Rahman as a diamond category player.

Allen's agent Brad Gillings told STAR Sports that his client is excited for the opportunity to play in the PSL, after missing out on the last tournament.

"Fabian got selected to Multan Sultans last year but for personal reasons, he was unable to participate," Gillings said. "He is very grateful for the opportunity and will be making the best of it this time around."

Jamaican Brandon King was said to have had interest from Islamabad United, however, it is understood that the right-hander had opted to remain in Jamaica and train with the Jamaica Scorpions franchise.

Fellow Jamaican all-rounder Odean Smith went undrafted.

A total of 19 overseas players were chosen in the replacement draft, with three teams - Peshawar, Quetta, and Islamabad reserving one further selection each to be used at a later date.

Veteran West Indies pacer Fidel Edwards was brought in as a replacement for Saqib Mahmood also at Peshawar.

Another West Indian Obed McCoy will also get a chance to parade his skills in the PSL, replacing fellow West Indian Carlos Brathwaite at Multan.