Sialkot Stallionz sign Steve Smith for PSL 11 in landmark direct deal

Pakistan Super League’s newest franchise, Sialkot Stallionz, has officially signed former Australian captain Steve Smith for the upcoming PSL 11, marking one of the biggest acquisitions under the league’s newly introduced direct signing model.

The franchise confirmed the signing on Tuesday through its official social media platforms, making Smith the first major international star to join the Stallionz ahead of the tournament, which will run from March 26 to May 3.

Steve Smith brings a wealth of global T20 experience, having played in major leagues including the Big Bash League (BBL), Indian Premier League (IPL), The Hundred, Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), and Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

In franchise and domestic T20 cricket, the right-handed batter has featured in 272 matches, scoring 6,242 runs at a strike rate of 131.38, with 30 half-centuries and five centuries to his name.

Smith arrives in strong form after an impressive stint in BBL 15 with the Sydney Sixers, where he scored 299 runs in six matches at a remarkable strike rate of 167.97, including one century and two fifties, guiding his side to the tournament final.

Tim Paine Appointed Head Coach

Earlier this year, on January 29, the Stallionz announced Tim Paine, former Australian wicketkeeper-batter and Test captain, as their head coach. Paine brings significant leadership and international experience, having represented Australia in 35 Tests and 35 ODIs.

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The Sialkot Stallionz franchise is owned by OZ Developers, led by Hamza Majeed, who secured the team with a winning bid of Rs 1.85 billion during the PSL franchise auction held at the Jinnah Convention Centre on January 8. The team was named after the historic and sports-rich city of Sialkot.

PSL 11 marks a major expansion phase for the league, with two new franchises added, increasing the total number of teams to eight. This is the second major expansion in PSL history, following the introduction of Multan Sultans in Season 3.

Meanwhile, the PSL 11 players’ auction is set to take place on February 11, where franchises will finalize their squads ahead of the new season.