Pakistan Super League (PSL) debutants RawalPindiz have signed New Zealand all-rounder Cole McConchie as a replacement for Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk ahead of the tournament’s 11th edition.The franchise confirmed the move on Monday through its social media channels, stating that McConchie will step in after Fraser-McGurk withdrew from the competition due to personal reasons.The 34-year-old brings significant experience to the team. He made his T20I debut for New Zealand in 2021 and has played 20 matches in the format, scoring 188 runs and taking 12 wickets.McConchie also has a strong domestic T20 record, with 2,008 runs, including nine half-centuries, and 88 wickets in 141 matches.The upcoming PSL season will run from March 26 to May 3 and marks a major milestone as the league expands to eight teams. New franchises Hyderabad Kingsmen and RawalPindiz join the competition, with a total of 44 matches scheduled over 39 days.However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revised its initial plans for the tournament. Matches will now be held only in Karachi and Lahore and will be played behind closed doors.PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced the changes during a media briefing, saying the decision was made after a joint meeting with franchise owners and consultations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is the Patron-in-Chief.Originally, six cities were under consideration to host PSL matches this season, including Multan, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad.
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