PSL 2026: Full list of players who have withdrawn from the tournament

After India’s heroic win over the Kiwis in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the stage is all set for the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), starting next week. No doubt, the league is getting bigger and better year by year, with new teams and franchises making it one of the biggest and most promising tournaments in the world for both national and international players. Meanwhile, it has become a matter of concern for Pakistan as several top players have withdrawn ahead of the upcoming PSL 2026.

Talking about this recently, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen said that he is very excited for the upcoming season and will be present in the commentary box after his decision not to be part of the Delhi Capitals franchise as a team mentor, citing personal reasons.

However, it has become a matter of concern for India’s arch-rivals, Pakistan, as several players have withdrawn from their league citing personal reasons.

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Player pullouts raise concerns for PSL 2026

A few days back, it was revealed that Zimbabwe’s premier pacer Blessing Muzarabani opted out of the league just before the start of the IPL and was picked as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman in KKR after his impressive performance in the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

This is not the first time this has happened. A similar situation occurred in the previous edition when South Africa’s Corbin Bosch left the Peshawar Zalmi squad to join the Mumbai Indians as a replacement for Lizaad Williams in 2025, a move that resulted in a one-year PSL ban.

Why is it happening?

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) was initially scheduled to be played between January and February 2026. However, the tournament was once again pushed to the March-April window, creating a scheduling overlap with the Indian Premier League (IPL). This shift has led to a growing number of overseas players opting out of the PSL in order to participate in the IPL, which offers higher exposure, competitive opportunities, and financial incentives.

This trend is becoming a major point of concern for the Pakistan Super League, as it not only affects the quality and balance of the squads but also impacts the overall competitiveness and viewership of the tournament.

The situation is further complicated due to the tense cricketing relationship between India and Pakistan, where scheduling conflicts and player availability have always been sensitive topics. With top international players increasingly prioritizing the IPL, PSL franchises now face the challenge of rebuilding their teams and securing replacements at short notice, raising questions about the league’s ability to maintain its reputation as a premier T20 tournament in the region.

Here’s a list of players who moved from the Pakistan Super League to the IPL:

Apart from Muzarabani, Sri Lanka captain and all-rounder Dasun Shanaka is set to join the Rajasthan Royals as a replacement for the injured Sam Curran in the upcoming IPL season. Shanaka has informed the PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars about his decision, and the formalities of the switch are currently being finalized. Spencer Johnson has also joined CSK.

While a handful of players have already secured IPL opportunities, several others are still in limbo, with franchises closely monitoring replacement options as the season approaches.

Players Withdrawn from PSL 2026

IPL 2026 will kick off on March 28, with the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad at their den in M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, PSL 2026 is scheduled to begin on March 26.

Also Read: “I’m not coming down” - Jason Gillespie refuses ‘Stupid’ PSL welcome video