PSL hit by player withdrawals; PCB and Mohsin Naqvi calls urgent meeting in Lahore on…
Published - 22 Mar 2026, 01:39 PM | Updated - 22 Mar 2026, 02:30 PM
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi reportedly called an emergency meeting in Lahore ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 season. According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board is expected to announce decisions regarding player withdrawals just days before the tournament.
Notably, the IPL 2026 has cast a massive shadow over the PSL. With both franchise tournaments overlapping due to a crowded international calendar, several overseas stars have withdrawn from their commitments in Pakistan to secure franchise deals in India, while others have opted out due to personal reasons.
Mohsin Naqvi Likely To Announce Major Decisions Amid Player Withdrawals From PSL
Several international cricketers have recently abandoned their Pakistan Super League commitments to prioritize Indian Premier League contracts.
Fast bowlers like Ottneil Baartman and Blessing Muzarabani have pulled out of their respective Pakistani franchises, causing significant operational panic among tournament organizers and frustrating franchise owners.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has called an emergency meeting in Lahore to address the growing concerns around the PSL. He is scheduled to hold a press conference at 2:00 PM today, with major decisions expected in response to the recent wave of player withdrawals.
Blessing Muzarabani Leaves PSL Deal To Join KKR As Replacement
Blessing Muzarabani joined Kolkata Knight Riders as a direct injury replacement for Mustafizur Rahman. The Zimbabwe pacer had originally signed with Islamabad United but ultimately chose to leave the Pakistan Super League and move to the IPL.
This controversial switch has sparked widespread debate around talent poaching between the two major T20 leagues. Muzarabani reportedly secured a salary increase after making the move, with his IPL contract and match fees expected to take his total earnings beyond ₹1.8 crore.
Blessing Muzarabani is not the only international player prioritizing the IPL window over PSL commitments. West Indies spinner Gudakesh Motie pulled out of his stint with Lahore Qalandars and could join Lucknow Super Giants, further reducing the overseas options available for PSL franchises.
Overseas Stars Continue IPL Shift As PSL Faces Squad Instability
Lahore Qalandars are also facing uncertainty over Sri Lanka all-rounder Dasun Shanaka, who, despite being picked in the draft, reportedly prefers switching to the IPL as an injury replacement for Rajasthan Royals.
These sudden withdrawals have left several PSL teams scrambling, with management now forced to search for replacements ahead of the season starting on March 26.
This will be the third stint for Shanaka in the IPL, as he represented the Gujarat Titans in 2023 and 2025. The Sri Lanka T20I captain was in a decent nick in the T20 World Cup 2026, where he played a brilliant innings of an unbeaten 76 against Pakistan.
Shanaka will be joining Blessing Muzarabani, who left the PSL to play in the IPL for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Harry Brook, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Faf du Plessis, David Wiese, Tymal Mills, Mujeeb-ur Rehman, Mohammad Nabi, and Fazalhaq Farooqi have also denied playing in the PSL.
Also read: "It's not that easy:" EX-RR spinner sends big warning to Riyan Parag ahead of IPL 2026
About the Author
Sai Vaitla is an author at Cricketaddictor and he has been working since September 2022. Sai Vaitla...
