ISLAMABAD: In what is being hailed as one of the biggest signings of the season, the Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen have roped in Australian white-ball maestro Glenn Maxwell for the upcoming 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The franchise made the announcement on Thursday, confirming the all-rounder as a direct signing for the tournament, which is scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3.
‘The Big Show’ Heads to Pakistan
Glenn Maxwell, affectionately known as “The Big Show,” brings a wealth of experience and explosive power to the Kingsmen’s lineup.
Widely regarded as one of the most destructive batters in the shortest format, Maxwell has been a dominant force for Australia in T20I cricket.
His international T20 resume is staggering. In 129 appearances for his country, he has accumulated 2,897 runs at a blistering strike rate of 158.42.
The right-hander has smashed 12 half-centuries and five centuries in the format, with a highest score of 145*.
Beyond his batting, his wily off-spin has yielded 49 wickets, making him a genuine match-winner with both disciplines.
A Globe-Trotting T20 Veteran
Maxwell is no stranger to high-pressure franchise leagues, having featured in almost every major T20 competition across the globe.
From the Big Bash League (BBL) at home to the Indian Premier League (IPL), The Hundred, and the Vitality Blast, he has seen it all.
His overall T20 statistics underline his class. Across 502 matches, Maxwell has amassed 10,986 runs at a strike rate of 154.16, registering 58 fifties and eight centuries.
With the ball, he has chipped in with 196 wickets. This season will mark his PSL debut, and he is expected to be the linchpin of the Kingsmen’s middle order, providing both firepower and veteran savvy.
Franchise Bolsters Squad with International Flair
Maxwell joins the Kingsmen as the second high-profile Australian signing, following the acquisition of top-order batter Marnus Labuschagne on February 6.
The franchise has been aggressive in building its squad for the expanded 11th season, which will feature two new teams: the Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen and the Sialkot Stallionz.
Historic Auction Era Begins
The PSL is entering a new phase this year. In a major shift from tradition, the league replaced the decade-old draft system with a player auction for the first time in its history.
The auction was held at the Expo Centre on Wednesday, where all eight franchises competed to finalize their rosters.
The move to an auction comes as the league expands, making squad building a complex task.
The six existing franchises were permitted to retain only four players each from their core squads, levelling the playing field for the new entrants like the Kingsmen to build competitive teams.
Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen Full Squad for PSL 11
The Kingsmen have assembled a formidable mix of local talent and international stars:
Batters: Saim Ayub (Rs126 million), Maaz Sadaqat (Rs35 million), Sharjeel Khan (Rs6,000,000), Saad Ali (Rs6,000,000), Tayyab Arif (Rs6,000,000)
Wicketkeepers: Usman Khan (Rs46.2 million), Kusal Perera (Rs31 million)
All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell (Direct Signing), Marnus Labuschagne (Direct Signing), Muhammad Irfan Khan (PKR 29 million), Hassan Khan (Rs18.5 million), Hammad Azam (Rs6,000,000), Rizwan Mehmood (Rs6,000,000)
Fast Bowlers: Akif Javed (Rs196 million), Mohammad Ali (Rs21.5 million), Ottniel Baartman (Rs11 million), Riley Meredith (Rs42 million), Hunain Shah (Rs6,000,000), Asif Mehmood (Rs6,000,000)
Spinners: Shayan Jahangir (Rs6,000,000)
