The 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League features several high-profile players overlooked by IPL franchises – all eager to prove their worth. Here are five such IPL 2025 snubs who could shine in PSL 2025.
David Warner (Karachi Kings)
David Warner has been an IPL stalwart since his 2009 debut. After initial years with Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals), his move to Sunrisers Hyderabad defined his legacy – he captained them to the 2016 title and is the most successful overseas batter in the franchise's history. However, a dip in form saw him return to Delhi in 2022, but the reunion proved unsuccessful. By the 2025 mega-auction, franchises passed on the veteran opener.
Karachi Kings seized the chance, making Warner their most high-profile signing in PSL history and immediately naming him captain. Though retired internationally, the Australian star now has a point to prove in his new T20 chapter.
'𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙖 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙖𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚'
— Karachi Kings (@KarachiKingsARY) April 10, 2025
Captain David Warner’s first words to the #KingsSquad 💙❤️#YehHaiKarachi | #KarachiKings pic.twitter.com/ZDKUBccYRz
Kane Williamson (Karachi Kings)
Another player, who is not quite a fit for the changing batting dynamics of the IPL but could prove a tremendous buy for a tournament like the PSL, which over the years has not quite managed to attract high-profile names as it has this time.
Williamson was Warner’s teammate at SRH. After Warner was banned from the IPL in 2018 due to his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, Williamson led them to the final, where they lost to Chennai Super Kings. Midway through the 2021 season, Williamson replaced Warner as the side’s captain again owing to poor performance. In 2023, SRH let go of him, and he moved to Gujarat Titans. He was ruled out of the opening game due to a knee injury and did little of note the following year either, leading to his release.
He has been in ominous form of late. Making his ODI comeback after two years just before the Champions Trophy, he has scored 425 runs in eight matches at an average of 60.71 and a strike rate of 87.62, including two centuries and two fifties.
Daryl Mitchell (Lahore Qalandars)
Since the start of the decade, Mitchell has been New Zealand’s highest run-getter (5,403 runs). Despite his prolific record in international cricket, his IPL career has been underwhelming – 351 runs in 15 matches at an average of 27 and a strike-rate of 131.46 without any wickets across two seasons for Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, failing to do justice to his talent. A strong PSL stint could help him reestablish his credentials as a T20 franchise star.
Michael Bracewell (Multan Sultans)
The high demand for New Zealand players is another reason the all-rounder features in the list. Bracewell recently led New Zealand to a 4-1 T20I and 3-0 ODI series win over Pakistan. His standout performances came during New Zealand’s runners-up finish in the 2025 Champions Trophy. His eight wickets at an average of 25.12 were the third-highest in the tournament, highlighted by an economy rate of 4.10 – the best among bowlers who played at least three matches.
Bracewell’s only IPL season came in 2023 as an injury replacement for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He played five matches, scoring 58 runs at an average of 29 and chipping in with six wickets at 15.83. Despite setting a base price of 1 crore INR, he went unsold in this year’s auction.
Nahid Rana (Peshawar Zalmi)
One of the most exciting pace talents from a nation not traditionally known for producing great fast bowlers, Rana – standing at six feet two – has already made waves in his fledgling 10-match international career (6 Tests, 4 ODIs) with his fiery spells. His 5-61 at Sabina Park against the West Indies triggered a dramatic collapse from 85-1 to 146 all out, helping Bangladesh secure a rare overseas series draw.
His PSL selection, despite limited experience, likely stems from his pivotal role in Bangladesh’s historic Test series win in Pakistan last year – a testament to his big-match temperament.
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