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Backing the Karachi Kings for the PSL title this year. With Kane Williamson and David Warner in their team, they have two of the most experienced T20 and international players they could want. That sort of experience leads teams to titles. They also have the likes of Mohammed Nabi, James Vince, Litton Das, and Tim Seifert, who also have a wealth of experience on the international circuit, as well as Shan Masood, the international captain. Their team may be a player light domestically speaking, but I think their international talent will make up for that.

The Multan Sultans are going to be my each-way pick for this competition. Last year's winners have recruited well in the off-season, and someone like Kamran Ghulam's stock has gone up exponentially, making both his red and white ball debuts for Pakistan since the last competition. Their international players may not be as eye-catching as some of the other sides, but Chris Jordan, Johnson Charles, and David Willey have a ton of experience in franchise leagues around the world. Michael Bracewell has just skippered New Zealand to white ball series wins over Pakistan. This doesn't even mention the likes of Rizwan and Iftikhar, who have been massive for the national team at the top and in the middle order in recent years.

This is a toss-up between the big two franchises for me, Chennai or Mumbai. The Sunrisers, who blew everyone away on the way to the final last year, are marked as the bookies' favorite, but I think their plan on all-out batting firepower could backfire. Mohammad Shami leads the bowling attack, but I don't believe he is at 100% just yet, and even with him, the attack looks a bowler light. The reuniting of Bumrah and Boult at Mumbai nearly pushed me towards them, but I have decided to plug with Chennai. The five-time champions have put their eggs in the spin basket this season with Ashwin, Jadeja, and Noor Ahmed, and if Pathirana can stay fit, this looks like a frightening unit. Kiwi Ravindra is also on a hot streak, as was Shivam Dube just a few months back. Backing the boys in yellow to add another trophy to the mantelpiece this year.

This is obviously a risk seeing as the Punjab Kings haven't made the playoffs since 2014, but this is a very fresh side who shouldn't really have any of the traumas of the past. Arshdeep Singh still leads the attack, but apart from that, Prabhsimran Singh is the only other really recognized player at the top of the order. New captain Shreyas Iyer and Glenn Maxwell's resumes speak for themselves, but I think it is actually the acquisition of Yuzvendra Chahal that will have the most impact. The leggie is always there or thereabouts when it comes to the race for the purple cap, and whereas runs win matches, wickets win tournaments. I'll finish with their international depth with both Josh Inglis and Lockie Ferguson being proven in the subcontinent and Marco Jansen, who had a great season last year for the Sunrisers. I was surprised not to see him retained.

This each-way pick for me was a toss-up between Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire, who are both 16/1 for the title. With Jonny Bairstow given the skippering duties at Yorkshire, there looks to be a lot of promise in the side, but I still think their bowling department looks a little weak. With this in mind, I have decided to go with Nottinghamshire. They barely survived relegation last season, but with Olly Stone and Josh Tongue now back and fit, they should be ripping through a lot more teams. They have also brought in Pakistan's Mohammed Abbas, who has been one of the standout bowlers in county cricket over the last few years. Speaking of standout overseas players, Nottinghamshire have also signed Kyle Verreynne, who probably has the best batting statistics across formats for an international keeper over the last twelve months. I could go on about the young guns Farhan Ahmed and Freddie McCann or Surrey signing Conor McKerr, but I am limited to 200 words.

It could be a fool's game not backing Surrey, but I genuinely think this is the season that Somerset finally get it done. This prediction does come with a slight caveat in that I think they will win the division, but only if Matt Henry is able to stay injury-free. In English conditions, the Kiwi is absolutely lethal, and where Somerset have struggled in the past is taking early season wickets where seam is most prized. Tom Banton gave this side a vigour as well last campaign, providing quick runs in the middle order to try to push games along. If they can get the same out of Will Smeed, who has recently signed a red ball contract, that will only further this case. The Rew brothers will provide stability in the middle order along with Tom Abell. Spin speaks for itself at Taunton, and so I really only see injuries as the thing that can hinder the West Country side this season.

At first glance, backing a side that finished bottom of Division 2 last year may seem foolish, but I can see the Midlands side doing big things this season. Vastly experienced Wayne Madsen is back at the helm, with David Lloyd stepping down from the captaincy after the aforementioned poor season. Madsen captained the side to promotion in 2012, and allowing Lloyd to focus on just his batting is what this side needs. A lot of Division 2 sides this season have solid-looking batting lineups, but it is bowling units that win leagues, and the strikeforce of Chappell, Brown, overseas signing Tickner, and newcomer Harry Moore looks dangerous. The other signing Aussie Caleb Jewell scores his runs quickly and having two overseas pros for the entire season will be pivotal.

Lancashire are going to be obvious favourites for this Division 2 title. With Jimmy Anderson available for the whole campaign (injury permitting), you have to feel as though England's greatest ever bowler is going to take a mountain of Division 2 scalps. The skipper Keaton Jennings was the one bright spark for his side last season in what was a torrid campaign. He averaged 45 at the top of the innings and will be accompanied by overseas signing Marcus Harris who has always got runs for whatever English side he has played for. Not great odds on a season long bet but for the obvious reason that they will most likely win.