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, Pakistan Cricket Board may announce the decision regarding the return of players a few days before the tournament.
Notably, IPL 2026 has cast a huge shadow over the PSL. With both franchises’ tournaments overlapping due to the congested international calendar, many foreign stars have backed out of their commitments in Pakistan to secure franchise deals in India, while others have opted out due to personal reasons.
Mohsin Naqvi may announce big decisions amid players’ withdrawal from PSL
Many international cricketers have recently abandoned their Pakistan Super League commitments to prioritize Indian Premier League contracts.
Fast bowlers like Otneel Bartman and Blessing Muzarabani have pulled out of their respective Pakistani franchises, causing significant operational jitters among tournament organizers and frustrated franchise owners.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has called an emergency meeting in Lahore to address the growing concerns over the PSL. He is scheduled to hold a press conference today at 2:00 pm, where major decisions are expected to be made in response to the recent wave of player withdrawals.
Blessing Muzarabani gives up PSL deal to join KKR as replacement
Blessing Muzarabani joined Kolkata Knight Riders as a direct injury replacement for Mustafizur Rahman. The Zimbabwean fast bowler had originally signed with Islamabad United but ultimately decided to leave the Pakistan Super League and move to the IPL.
The controversial change has sparked widespread debate over talent trading between the two major T20 leagues. Muzarabani reportedly received a raise in salary following the move, with his total earnings from his IPL contract and match fees expected to exceed ₹1.8 crore.
Blessing Muzarabani is not the only international player who is prioritizing the IPL window over PSL commitments. West Indies spinner Gudakesh Moti has pulled out of his stint with Lahore Qalandars and could join Lucknow Super Giants, further reducing the overseas options available for the PSL franchise.
PSL is facing instability in the team, hence foreign stars continue to shift to IPL
Lahore Qalandars also face uncertainty over Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka, who despite being selected in the draft, reportedly prefers to go to the IPL as an injury replacement for Rajasthan Royals.
These sudden withdrawals have unsettled many PSL teams, with management now forced to look for replacements ahead of the season starting on March 26.
This will be the third stint in the IPL for Shanaka, as he represented Gujarat Titans in 2023 and 2025. The Sri Lanka T20I captain was in good form heading into the T20 World Cup 2026, where he played a brilliant inning of 76 not out against Pakistan.
Shanaka will be joined by Blessing Muzarabani, who left the PSL to play in the IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Harry Brook, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Faf du Plessis, David Wiese, Tymal Mills, Mujeeb-ur Rehman, Mohammad Nabi and Fazalhaq Farooqui have also refused to play in the PSL.
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