Pakistani players earn lucrative contracts to appear in Bangladesh Premier League

Pakistani players emerged the biggest winners following the conclusion of the auction for the second edition of the Bangladesh Premier League, with the likes of Shahid Afridi and Imran Nazir earning lucrative deals.



Both players were placed in the golden category and received $275,000 and $ 280,000 respectively, and will feature for reigning champions Dhaka Gladiators. Former all-rounder, Azhar Mahmood bagged $206,000 after being scooped up by Barisal Burners. Saeed Ajmal and Shoaib Malik were also amongst the highest earners.

Shakib Al Hasan received the biggest contract of them all, a bumper $365,000 deal. He will shift franchises this term by donning the Gladiators’ shirt. It was further reported that as many as nine overseas players, who took part in the first edition, have pulled out of the event for various reasons.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Indian captain, feels England players' international commitments remain the biggest obstacle in their way to earning lucrative IPL deals

The current crop of English cricketers left an indelible impression on the Indian fans after winning the recently concluded four-match series – their first on Indian soil since 1984. Despite their achievements, Dhoni said that their acquisition proves unattractive for the IPL franchises as they are not available for a full IPL season.

He however, excluded Kevin Pietersen from that category, terming him as a special player. "Kevin Pietersen is a really different batsman," Dhoni said. "If he's available for half a season, the sides can still gamble that he can play seven or eight games at least. He's a special player. But you have to be that special."

New Zealand fast bowler, Tim Southee, has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against South Africa after suffering a thumb injury while fielding during a domestic game.

Southee played a pivotal hand with both, bat and ball, to guide Northern Districts to an impressive win over Wellington. However, the game ended on a disappointing note after he was diagnosed with a ruptured ligament in his thumb.

He was already left out of the T20 squad, which is in South Africa, due to the birth of his child. "He landed heavily on his thumb while fielding, with scans indicating the ligament has fully ruptured and retracted," New Zealand physio Paul Close said.