KARACHI: Pakistan Super League (PSL) new owner Sialkot Stallions on Tuesday announced the signing of former Australian captain Steve Smith ahead of the historic 11th edition scheduled to be played from March 26 to May 3.
The announcement was made through the franchise’s official social media channels, confirming the first and biggest live signings.
“One of the biggest signings in PSL history: a game-changer, a powerhouse player- we welcome Steve Smith as a stallion,” the post said.
The right-handed batsman brings a wealth of experience in the shorter format, having played in top leagues including Big Bash League (BPL), The Hundred, Indian Premier League (IPL), Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
He will make his debut in the Pakistan Super League this season.
The 36-year-old has represented Australia in 67 T20 Internationals, scoring 1,094 runs at a strike rate of 125.45, including five fifties.
In domestic and franchise T20 cricket, Smith has played 272 matches, scoring 6,242 runs at a strike rate of 131.38, with 30 fifties and five centuries.
Most recently, he featured in PBL 15 for Sydney Sixers, scoring 299 runs at a strike rate of 167.97 in six matches, including a century and two fifties, to help his team reach the final.
Earlier, on January 29, Sialkot Stallions appointed former Australian wicketkeeper and captain Tim Paine as their head coach.
Paine brings extensive experience having represented Australia in 35 Tests and 35 ODIs while also captaining the national team in the longer format.
Hamza Majeed-led OZ Developers bagged the rights during a high-profile auction held at the Jinnah Convention Center on January 8.
FKS Group Rs. 1.75 billion ($6.25 million) after securing the first new franchise, OZ Developers bid for the Sialkot team at Rs. 1.85 billion won, named after the historic city of Sialkot.
This expansion marks the second biggest addition in PSL history. Multan Sultans were the first new team, joining the league in its third season and increasing the number of teams from five to six.
With PSL 11, two additional franchises were introduced, bringing the total number of teams to eight.
The much awaited player auction for PSL 11 is scheduled on February 11.
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