THREE Somerset cricketers have been picked up in the Pakistan Super League draft, to play in a tournament which is scheduled to run from February 20 to March 22, 2021.

Club captain Tom Abell has been signed by Lahore Qalanders, putting him in a squad with the likes of Shaheen Afridi, Joe Denly, Ben Dunk, Mohammad Hafeez, Rashid Khan, Samit Patel, David Wiese and Fakhar Zaman.

Tom Banton, meanwhile, is set to form an opening partnership with ex-Somerset star Chris Gayle, after both were signed by Quetta Gladiators.

Sarfaraz Ahmed, Ben Cutting, Mohammad Hasnain and Mohammad Nawaz are also in the Quetta squad.

Finally, Somerset's T20 captain Lewis Gregory has been picked up by Islamabad United, who have also signed Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Shadab Khan and Colin Munro.

Gregory is currently in T20 action in Australia, playing for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League, but their play-off hopes took a hit after losing to table-topping Sydney Sixers on Sunday.

The Somerset all-rounder made 26 off 15 balls (one four, two sixes) as the Heat were all out for 148 (Chris Lynn 56, Carlos Brathwaite 4-18).

Gregory went wicketless in the reply (0-24 off two overs), but did take a catch to dismiss ex-Taunton Cricket Club overseas player Josh Philippe.

Daniel Hughes (51) and Daniel Christian (61*) secured a three-wicket win for the Sixers.

The Heat are now sixth in the standings (with only the top five making the play-offs), with their next match being against Melbourne Renegades on Thursday (8.15am UK time).