Overview:
The PSL matches would be played behind the closes doors due to the oil crisis in the country. The tournament has been limited to Karachi and Lahore, with PCB also cancelling the opening ceremony.
Several overseas players have left the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to play for IPL franchises, making things difficult for the PCB. The news season of the PSL is scheduled to start on March 26, two days before the IPL 2026. According to the PTI report, some players have asked the PCB to increase their fees because of the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
“The PCB wants to host the PSL matches on schedule and has not decided to take any action against overseas players, who have opted out of the tournament due to personal reasons or to join the IPL,” a source told PTI.
There have been discussions on banning players who have withdrawn for a few years, but the decision-makers are worried that it would stop the overseas players from competing in the future PSL seasons.
“Bans will make the situation difficult for the eight franchises. They will find it hard to sign overseas players for the future seasons of the PSL.”
There is a big pay gap between the two T20 leagues. PSL teams are unable to match the amount being offered by the IPL franchises. The Pakistan Cricket Board had banned South Africa player Corbin Bosch for a year after he breached the PSL contract in 2025.
“The ban didn’t impact him,” the source mentioned.
The PCB is likely to discuss the matter with other members of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
West Indies players Gudakesh Motie and Johnson Charles, Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani, Australian cricketers Spencer Johnson and Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sri Lanka’s T20I skipper Dasun Shanaka, South Africa’s Ottneil Baartman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz of Afghanistan, and England’s Tymal Mills are the overseas players who have opted out of this year’s PSL season.
Tabraiz Shamsi, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne have reached Pakistan to compete in the league.
“Overseas coaches and support staff are reaching Pakistan for the PSL,” a source revealed.
Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, and Pervaz Emon, the four Bangladesh players, have been given NOC by the BCB.
The PSL matches would be played behind the closes doors due to the oil crisis in the country. The tournament has been limited to Karachi and Lahore, with PCB also cancelling the opening ceremony.