Reece Topley insults PCB!! Opts to play for MI Emirates a day after pulling out of PSL 2024

Just a day after pulling out of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), England fast-bowler Reece Topley signed up for MI Emirates ahead of the knockouts of the ongoing ILT20.

The left-arm pacer was a part of the Multan Sultans squad for PSL 2024 but opted out of the competition. On Sunday (February 11), Sultans owner Ali Tareen announced that Reece Topley will not be playing in PSL 2024 after failing to obtain the No Object Certificate from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Will be sharing some sad news during the show. One of our overseas players hasnt received his NOC and is out of the PSL! 😬😬 https://t.co/GB1KSAqqE8

— Ali Khan Tareen (@aliktareen) February 11, 2024

Later, reports stated that the ECB decided against issuing an NOC to the bowler due to workload management. Reece Topley recently plied his trade in the SA20, playing a total of 12 games for Durban Giants in the competition, and is also set to play for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2024. Reports also suggested that the bowler was carrying a niggle although it was not serious enough to rule him out of the entire PSL.

Reece Topley signs up for MI Emirates:

While Reece Topley opted out of PSL 2024 due to workload management, he has signed up for MI Emirates. One of the reasons behind this could be that MI Emirates can play only a maximum of 3 games in ILT20. On Wednesday, they will be playing the first qualifier and a win will take them to the final. In case, they lose the game, they will have to play the second qualifier.

MI Emirates finished the league stage at the top of the points table with 6 wins from 10 games. In their next game, they will be up against Gulf Giants for a place in the title decider. In addition to signing Reece Topley, the franchise has also signed Sri Lankan batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa and USA’s wicketkeeper-batter Monank Patel ahead of the qualifiers.

Both Topley and Monank were signed up as replacements. While Topley has replaced Fazalhaq Farooqi in the team, Monank has replaced Corey Anderson. On the other hand, Rajapaksa has been roped in as the second Wild Card entry of the season.

MI Emirates updated squad:

Akeal Hosein, Ambati Rayudu, Andre Fletcher, Monank Patel, Daniel Mousley, Dwayne Bravo, Reece Topley, Jordan Thompson, Kieron Pollard, Kusal Perera, McKenny Clarke, Muhammad Waseem, Nicholas Pooran (c), Nosthush Kenjige, Odean Smith, Trent Boult, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Waqar Salamkheil, Will Smeed, Zahoor Khan, Tim David, Kieron Pollard, Bhanuka Rajapaksa.