Overview:
The PSL 2026 will be played behind closed doors due to the ongoing West Asia crisis and oil shortage.
Mohsin Naqvi, who is the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has threatened to take legal action against overseas players for leaving the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 to join the IPL franchises for the 19th season of the tournament. Many players have ditched the PSL after getting a chance to play in the IPL as replacement players in the cash-rich league.
He commented after Sri Lanka’s T20I captain Dasun Shanaka joined Rajasthan Royals as the replacement player for England all-rounder Sam Curran, who has been ruled out due to an injury. Shanaka went unsold in the IPL auction and was then picked by Lahore Qalandars.
Shanaka became the second player to choose IPL over PSL. Earlier, Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani joined the three-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders in place of Mustafizur Rahman, who was removed from the IPL by the BCCI. Blessing was associated with Islamabad United in Pakistan’s T20 league. Last year, the PCB had banned South African pacer Corbin Bosch after he snubbed the PSL to join the Mumbai Indians.
Naqvi said that legal action will be taken against international players for leaving the PSL. However, he mentioned that the clash with the upcoming season of the IPL will not impact PSL. Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Marnus Labuschagne will be seen in action in the PSL.
“A lot of international players are coming for PSL this year. Some of them have also left and we are planning to take action against them. But there is a big difference between the players this year as compared to previous seasons,” Naqvi told reporters.
“There is a regional conflict going on, but we have got many A-category players this season. Players who never came to Pakistan are now ready to play here in the PSL. Our clash with the IPL doesn’t matter as there are many players across the globe. Despite the IPL, we have managed to get many international players on board,” he added.
The PSL 2026 will be played behind closed doors due to the ongoing West Asia crisis and oil shortage.
The venues have come down to two from six, and the matches will only be played in Lahore and Karachi. The opening ceremony has been cancelled and the fans, who bought the tickets, will get the refunds.