LAHORE: Pakistan Super League (PSL) debutants Rawalpindi have announced the signing of New Zealand all-rounder Cole McKenzie to replace Australian Jake Fraser-McQuurg ahead of the 11th edition of the tournament.
The owner confirmed the move via their social media channels on Monday, saying Mackenzie would step up after Fraser-McKurk pulled out of the match for personal reasons.
The 34-year-old brings considerable experience to the side. He made his T20I debut for the Blackcaps in 2021 and has since featured in 20 internationals in the shorter format, scoring 188 runs and taking 12 wickets.
His domestic T20 record is equally strong, with 2,008 runs—including nine fifties—and 88 wickets in 141 matches.
The upcoming PSL season, scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3, marks a major edition as the league expands to eight teams. New entrants Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindi join the fray, with a total of 44 matches to be played in 39 days.
In a significant shift from initial plans, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has scaled back the logistics of the tournament. The matches will now be held exclusively at two venues in Karachi and Lahore and will be played behind closed doors.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced the revised arrangements during a media conference, explaining that the decisions were taken following a joint meeting with the owner and consultation with the host-in-chief, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Six cities, including Multan, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad, were initially in the running to host the tournament.
Updated Rawalpindi’s Squad:
Mohammad Rizwan (caught), Sam Billings, Jalat Khan, Yasir Khan, Naseem Shah, Rishad Hossain, Daryl Mitchell, Mohammad Amir, Cole Mackenzie, Abdullah Fazal, Amat Butt, Dian Forrester, Larry Evans, Asif Afridi, Kamran Akulam, Sawant Khan Ghulam Masood.
Rawalpindi’s PSL 11 Schedule:
comments