The seventh season of the Abu Dhabi T10 in cricket’s fastest format is gearing up on the radar for the player draft. Players have been divided among categories with former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi being listed as an Icon Star among some big names on the draft list.

The eight teams have retained some players from the previous season while pre-signing some players on their own in a hybrid form of ownership for the franchises. Last season also saw the addition of two teams from the United States – New York Strikers and Samp Army Morrisville – who impressed by making the play-offs straightaway. Deccan Gladiators retained the title and will be aiming for a hat-trick.

Afridi will be joined by compatriots Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, Bangladesh batsman Tamim Iqbal, and Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka. The pre-signed players by the teams feature former Indian superstars Ambati Rayudu (Delhi Bulls), and Yusuf Pathan (Bangla Tigers). England spinner Adil Rashid and Australia’s fiery batsman Chris Lynn are among the players listed in the Platinum category for the player’s draft, along with Kusal Mendis, Liton Das, Mohammad Nabi, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

The remaining players in the draft are divided across five other categories - Cat A, Cat B, Cat C, Emerging, and the UAE local players.

Among the retentions for the new season, Gladiators have kept hold of the their captain Nicholas Pooran. The left-handed batter was the leading run-scorer of the previous season as he smashed 345 runs in 10 games at an average of 49.29 and a whopping strike rate of 234.69.

Pooran smashed 25 sixes, the maximum by any player last season. Chennai Braves also retained their captain Sikandar Raza. “The tournament has become even fiercer now as players and franchises know what it takes to win. We will hope we can go all the way this year and lay our hands on the beautiful trophy,” Raza said.