SOMERSET stars Tom Banton and Lewis Gregory have both been involved on the opening weekend of the Pakistan Super League.

Banton was selected to open the batting for Quetta Gladiators in Saturday's opening fixture against defending champions Karachi Kings.

The 22-year-old only lasted three balls, however, scoring five runs (with one four) before being caught behind off the bowling of Imad Wasim.

Chris Gayle, a Somerset overseas signing in 2015 and 2016, top scored with 39 as the Gladiators were dismissed for 121, in 18.2 overs.

Babar Azam - Banton's partner in crime for Somerset in the T20 Blast in 2019 and 2020 - made 24 for the Kings, before Joe Clarke (46) and Mohammad Nabi (30*) secured them a seven-wicket victory.

Somerset captain Tom Abell was not selected for Lahore Qalanders' opening match, a four-wicket win over Peshawar Zalmi on Sunday, but Gregory - the club's T20 skipper - had a decisive role to play in Islamabad United's game.

The 28-year-old all-rounder took 2-31 off four overs (dismissing James Vince and Khushdil Shah) as Multan Sultans were restricted to 150-8, of which Mohammad Rizwan made 71.

Despite 29 from Alex Hales, United were in trouble at 74-6, at which point Gregory paired up with Faheem Ashraf (22).

Gregory ended unbeaten on 49* (off 31 balls, with six fours and one six), as United reached 151-7 with an over to spare.