As it happened - PSL 2023 player draft

Here's what the squads look like after the draft:

Karachi pick a fast bowler, Islamabad an allrounder to round out the draft

Left-arm Malinga, goes the nickname. At least they're taking the pressure off. He's primarily played tape ball cricket, and was sent to Namibia for a development tournament. Arafat Minhas goes to Multan Sultans

We needed a back-up spinner. Imran Tahir and Tabraiz Shamsi in the same side, even though Tabraiz is likely only going to be available for the first half og the tournament.

Peshawar Zalmi opted not to make a pick this round. Lahore, meanwhile, go for Jordan Xoc

He played for Karachi Kings before, but he's suffered a drop in form of late. Jason Roy isn't available throughout the tournamentm though, so Guptill will likely play an important part for Quetta

Last time around, they managed to pick up Imran Tahir in this category, so this pick makes sense

"We all know he's a New Zealand allrounder," Babar says, somewhat helpfully.

Haseebullah's drafted in by Peshawar Zalmi, swing bowler Aimal Khan from the PJL goes to Quetta, Hassan Nawaz to Islamabad and Shawaiz Irfan to Lahore.

Abdul Wahid Bangalzai back to Quetta, Zeeshan Zamir to Islamabad, Sufyan Muqeen - a left arm legspinner - to Peshawar Zalmi and Irfan Khan Niazi to Karachi Kings.

I can't seem to remember a time when we weren't picking Silver Category PSL players. Here area few more, then. Ahmed Daniyal goes to Lahore, Sameen Gul is drafted by Multan, Muhammad Zahid by Quetta, Rumman Raees by Islamabad and Anwar Ali by Multan Sultans,

We've got Mirza Tahir Baig going to Lahore, Mohammad Akhlaq to Karachi, Usman Khan to Multan, and Sohaib Maqsood to Islamabad

The player who emerged from Lahore's Player Development Programme is back with them, whule Peshawar pick Usman Qadir. Usama Mir goes to Multan Sultans and Tayyab Tahir to Karachi Kings.

and pick Saim Ayub in the Silver catgory

"Don't be drawn by his age," says Nabeel Hashmi, which immediately gets me checking exactly how old he is. He's going to be 39 in April, but Nabeel ensures us he's a good fielder.

That's a topical one. It's already his third PSL franchise; he's repped Karachi and Peshawar in the past, but it's his first PSL gig in three years.

That concludes the Gold round.

Dawson's a familiar name in the PSL, but he joins Lahore for the first time.

The 36-year old makes his PSL bow. He has three T20 hat-tricks. Sounds like he's going to be a back-up option. Not bad.

Feels like a shrewd little addition, this. Multan say they wanted a frontline spinner who gives them control. Quetta Gladiators, meanwhile, went for Ahsan Ali

That's an exciting one. The first Zimbabwean picked at this draft, one who's aging like a fine wine, coming off the back of a tremendous World Cup.

No, it's not the bloke whose helmet takes pride of place on the PC chandelier in Lahore. It's South African-born English seam bowler James Fuller. He won the Player of the Match award for Jaffna Kings in the LPL as recently as Tueaday.

Quetta, meanwhile, go for Odean Smith, while Hussain Talat joins Lahore Qalandars. "We've got that batting firepower covered now."

Babar Azam announces the decision. "We picked batters until now," Babar says. "Mujeeb is one of the best bowlers and has plenty of experience. He understands Pakistan conditions which is helpful to us."

"Our bowling line-up has right arm fast bowlers, so having a left-arm fast bowler is valuable," Azhar Mahmood says. "I've worked with him and I know he has a big heart."

Multan Sultans use their wildcard and pick Irish pace bowler Josh Little. He had a phenomenally good World Cup, and looks set to be hot property in T20 leagues around the world.

Imran Tahir joins Karachi. I must admit, I'd forgotten he was still playing, but it's always a safe assumption

A fair few reunions to kick of the draft this season, even if Hasan Ali says he's been picked for his Ludo rather than batting skills. "He plays Islamabad United-type cricket," Hasan says.

Inzi announces the 29-year old makes a return to Zalmi. "The kinds of players who play in the middle order need to have a strike rate over 150, and it's an ability Powell and Rajapaksa have," Inzi says.

Everyone's made one round of picks now - Quetta more than one. A few first-timers here, too. The ball's rolling nicely now

Yep, that sounds like an Islamabad United pick

Wasim Akram says Karachi needed a wicketkeeper. They have famously used wickekeepers very well in the past

No one's taking this pick away from Multan Sultans as they plump for the South African power hitter

So what's happened is, Naseem Shah was Multan Sultan's pick. But Quetta Gladiators used their right to match, and took him away from Multan. Quetta refuse to let Naseem go.

A PSL first-timer! The SL allrounder's the first overseas player picked this season.

To perhaps no one's surprise, LQ pick Fakhar, who they had released full well knowing they could get him back with the first pick.

"Fakhar's a member of this family," Shaheen beams.

The team mentors and owners are up, and being presented souvenirs by PCB chairman Ramiz Raja. Looks like we should (finally) get underway shortly.

There were a few technical issues with audio and lighting at the intro, so I'm guessing that's what's causing the delay. Urooj, Ahmer and Sikander duing a valiant job of filling time.

It's "Soch hai aapki". Yeah, me neither

That really must mean we're about to get underway. The standard initial speeches are taking place, with Ramiz Raja stood poised, his glasses so far down the end of his nose I can't focus on anything else lest they fall off.

While we wait for things to get underway, here's where each side stands from the point of view of players they've opted to retain.

Right, after what seems like an interminable delay, here we are. We should get underway in a few moments.

First things first, here's a look at the order in which the picks will run