Full list of players who withdrew from the tournament

Following 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 after year, with the addition of 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 Meanwhile, it has become a matter of concern for Pakistan as many top players have withdrawn their names ahead of the upcoming PSL 2026.

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

However, this has become a matter of concern for India’s arch-rival Pakistan, as several players have withdrawn from their league citing personal reasons.

Withdrawal of players raises concerns for PSL 2026

A few days ago, it was revealed that Zimbabwe’s leading fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani had opted out of the league just before the start of the IPL and was chosen as Mustafizur Rahman’s replacement in KKR after his impressive performances in the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

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

Why is this 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, causing schedule overlap with the Indian Premier League (IPL). This change has led to an increase in the number of foreign players opting out of the PSL to participate in the IPL, which offers higher exposure, competitive opportunities and financial incentives.

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

The situation is further complicated by the strained cricketing relations 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 are now faced with the challenge of rebuilding their teams and securing replacements at short notice, raising questions over the league’s ability to maintain its reputation as a premier T20 tournament in the region.

Here is the list of players who moved from Pakistan Super League to IPL:

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

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

Players have withdrawn from PSL 2026

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

Also read: “I’m not coming down” – Jason Gillespie rejects ‘stupid’ PSL welcome video