Former Pakistan U19 captain Hassan Khan (San Francisco Unicorns), wicket keeper batsman Adithya Ganesh (LA Knight Riders) and South African born teenaged sensation Joshua Tromp (Texas Super Kings) emerged as the blue chip selections in the MLC Season 2 domestic draft. The trio netted $75,000 for the three week American extravaganza. Surprisingly, former India U19 star Smit Patel failed to attract a bid in the draft that saw 20 signings ranging from $75,000 to $5,000.
Left arm spinning allrounder Hassan Khan enjoyed a terrific allround 2023 season for the Chicago Kingsmen in the MiLC. Khan, 25, lit up the Minor League (MiLC) instantly after giving up on his Pakistan dream, amassing 220 runs at a strike rate of 181 over 5 innings.
Ganesh turned up for the Dindigul Dragons in the TNPL as recently as July last year. The 32 year old, who has been on a spousal visa in the US for about 18 month now, ended his BCCI career by lapping up the opportunity to play for the East Bay Blazers in the MiC last year. Although, he had a modest outing with the bat, scoring 265 runs over 10 innings with a strike rate of 116.
TSK punted on the prodigal talent of Houston Hurricane's Joshua Tromp, locking him up as their top pick, despite a special draft category for the U23 players. The 19 year old enjoyed a breakthrough season, piling up 362 runs in 10 innings with 4 half centuries in the most competitive central division. Joshua joins his twin brother Matthew in the MLC after the former was overlooked for the draft last year. After being released by the Seattle Orcas ahead of the draft, Matthew now joins the LA Knight Riders on a rookie contract. TSK further reward Philadelphians' Raj Nannan for his incisive spells in the 2023 MiLC.
The perplexing omission of Smit Patel will be quite stirring in the American cricket circles. The 31 year old represented the Barbados Royals a couple of seasons back, suddenly has no takers as a domestic player in the MLC. A veteran of 55 ranji trophy games, Patel, survived a near fatal accident in 2022. His return to competitive cricket hasn't been receptive. He was released from his San Francisco Unicorns contract without getting a game and was snubbed by the South West selectors for the national T20 before hopping in as an injury replacement. The big hitting Jaskaran Malhotra and former Mumbai batsman Akarshit Gomel failed to find favors with MLC franchises as well, going unsold after some impressive MiLC performances.
Hampshire and USA allrounder Ian Holland will make his debut MLC appearance and team up with former SL spinner Amila Aponso at Washington Freedom. MI New York secured the services of Ruben Clinton, South Africa born Heath Richards and Rushil Ugarkar. LA Knight Riders bought back fast bowling all rounder Corne Dry and left spinning all rounder Derone Davis.
Former Pakistan international Hammad Azam, Ali Sheikh and Ayan Desai were snapped up by Seattle Orcas. The San Francisco Unicorns brought in some calypso flavor in the mix with Jahmar Hamilton and Usa discard Karima Gore. Former Mumbai Indians opening batsman Tejinder Singh will also add to Unicorns' batting muscle.
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