Full list of Australian stars in PSL 2026 amid security and travel concerns

The 11^th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is scheduled to start from March 26 in Lahore. With an increased number of overseas talents, especially additions of the stars from Australia, and a couple of new franchises, the upcoming season is expected to be more competitive.

Ahead of the opening match of PSL 11, the ongoing geopolitical tension in the Gulf countries and Pakistan’s conflict with Afghanistan cause worries regarding the travel plans of overseas players for the league. This season, there is a significant number of Australian stars set to feature for their respective PSL teams.

PSL franchises showed their trust in the Australian stars

Multan Sultans, the winners of the PSL 2021 season, have the largest number of Australian stars in their squad. Star cricketers like Steve Smith, Josh Philippe, Peter Siddle, and Ashton Turner will play for them, while former international keeper-batter Tim Paine is assigned as the team’s head coach.

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Hyderabad Kingsmen, one of the fresh additions in the league, appointed Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne as their skipper for the upcoming season. They have bolstered their squad strength by adding Glenn Maxwell and Riley Meredith as their key foreign recruits. Former Aussie pacer Jason Gillespie is the head coach of Hyderabad Kingsmen.

Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators have a pair of Australian cricketers each. Kings have David Warner and Adam Zampa, while Gladiators secured the services of Sam Harper and Ben McDermott. Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, and Max Bryant will play for Rawalpindi Pindiz, Peshawar Zalmi, and Islamabad United, respectively.

Concerns over the travel schedules amid war situations

But will the overseas cricketers be able to travel to Pakistan from their respective nations safely, amid the heated situations? Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has dismissed all the doubts over the travel schedules.

According to a Moneycontrol report, “A source within the PCB refuted reports that Australian players had reservations about travelling to the country due to escalating tensions in the Middle East and Pakistan's border tensions with neighboring Afghanistan.”

“All travel arrangements and plans are in place, and we will have all the Australian players who have signed for the PSL 11 start arriving from next week,” the source informed.

Despite assurance from the Pakistan Cricket Board, concern remains. It is further claimed that the Australian government had advised its players against travelling to Peshawar because of Pakistan’s conflict with Afghanistan. Peshawar will be arranged to host only one match in the upcoming season of the league.

List of Australian stars to take part in the franchise league:

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