PSL 2026 Terror Scare: Steve Smith Arrives in Lahore Amid Armed Group Threat — Security Tightens as Aussie Star Defies Warning

By Samira Vishwas On Mar 23, 2026

Australian batting star Steve Smith landed in Lahore in the wee hours on March 23, Monday even as Pakistan’s armed group of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has issued a stern warning to foreign players to withdraw from PSL 2026. In a video surfaced on social media, the veteran Aussie batter was surrounded by plenty of police personnel as he made his way through the airport.

Why is Jamaat-ul-Ahrar in Pakistan sending warning to Australian cricketers?

Due to fuel shortage, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has had to tweak the venues, limiting the tournament to only two venues in Karachi and Lahore, slashing down Peshawar, Multan, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad. Additionally, the matches will also take behind closed doors. Meanwhile, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has claimed that they are not opposed to cricket but stated that the ongoing security situation in Pakistan is not viable to host high-profile international cricketers.

PSL 2026 has a large group of reputed international players, including Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Adam Zampa, Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Moeen Ali and several others. But the likes of Blessing Muzarabani, Dasun Shanaka, Tymal Mills and Spencer Johnson have pulled out of the tournament after committing to PSL 2026 earlier.

Here’s the video of Steve Smith landing in Lahore:

Steve smith just landed at Lahore Airport for PSL. #psl #pslmatch #pakistansuperleague pic.twitter.com/gWUMDdoDlQ
— Najam ud Din Arbkan (@lawbynajam) March 23, 2026

Steve Smith became the costliest player in PSL 2026 history

Meanwhile, the New South Welshman became the costliest player in PSL history, fetching PKR 14 million (which equates to approximately ₹4.5 crore) from the Sialkot Stallions. It will be the former Australian captain’s maiden PSL stint. He brings with him his recent form in the 2025-26 edition of the Big Bash League (BBL) for the Sydney Sixers where his batting exploits took the side to the final.

Smith aggregated 299 runs only in six matches of BBL 2025-26, averaging 59.80 alongside maintaining a strike rate of 167.97. PSL 2026 will kick off with reigning champions Lahore Qalandars facing Hyderabad Kingsmen at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.