The upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is starting from March 28. Two days before this, i.e. on March 26, the new season of Pakistan Super League (PSL) will start. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to organize PSL in the IPL window for the second consecutive year, which is costing it dearly. Foreign players are withdrawing their names from PSL to play IPL.
After Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani, now Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka has given preference to IPL over PSL. Shanaka is soon going to join Rajasthan Royals as a replacement for Sam Curran. He was in the team of Lahore Qalandars. As soon as he got the IPL offer, he told the PSL franchise that he was not coming to Pakistan. Earlier, Muzarabani had also done the same. He left Islamabad United and joined Kolkata Knight Riders.
Also read: From Ramakrishna Ghosh to Vishal Nishad… these 5 unknown players will become stars in IPL 2026
Naqvi threatened legal action
PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi has threatened legal action against the players leaving PSL and coming to play IPL. He said that conflict with IPL is not a problem. Speaking to the media on Sunday (March 23), Naqvi said, ‘We will take action against those players as per the rules. A similar case had come to light last year and the same thing will happen this time too. The conflict with IPL is not a problem, because if players are going there, we are also getting the best players here.
Last year, South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch withdrew his name from the PSL. He joined the Mumbai Indians team as an injury replacement. After this, PCB banned him from PSL for one year.
Also read: Most expensive sold in auction but how was the performance? Know the story of last 5 IPL
These players also said to PSL – NO
Apart from Muzarabani-Shanaka, foreign players like Gudakesh Moti, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Otneil Bartman and Spencer Johnson have also decided not to play in PSL 2026. Most of these players have cited that they are withdrawing from the PSL due to personal reasons. It is believed that these players did not come to play PSL due to security reasons.
The energy crisis in Pakistan has deepened due to the ongoing war in West Asia. In such a situation, PCB has decided to organize PSL without spectators. All matches will be played only in two cities Karachi and Lahore. Naqvi said, ‘We cannot afford to postpone the PSL. We don’t have another window all year.
Comments are closed.