PSL 2026 to be played behind closed doors

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 is reportedly going to be played behind closed doors following the ongoing crisis in West Asia. The tournament will only be held in Lahore and Karachi instead of being played across six venues. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said, “Looking at all of this and after discussions with our security agencies, we decided that the PSL would continue as per the original schedule. But we can’t ask people to restrict their movements and then have 30,000 people in stadiums every day. We decided that as long as this crisis is ongoing, we will not have crowds at matches. This was a difficult decision, but it needed to be made. The opening ceremony will also be cancelled.”

However, he spoke about the possibility of holding PSL games with crowds in the latter stages of the tournament, but that would depend on the crisis situation. “The Prime Minister requested all of Pakistan to restrict their movements because of the fuel crisis,” Naqvi said.

Dasun Shanaka to replace Sam Curran in RR

Dasun Shanaka decided to opt out of his PSL deal with Lahore Qalandars to join IPL 2026. Shanaka is set to replace Sam Curran at Rajasthan Royals and the formalities for the switch have been completed already.  Qalandars, meanwhile, are replacing Shanaka with Australia all-rounder Daniel Sams.

Shanaka becomes the second player to walk away from his PSL team to join an IPL franchise. Blessing Muzarabani joined the Kolkata Knight Riders and left Islamabad United. Dasun Shanaka is now part of a strong overseas unit of Rajasthan Royals that includes Shimron Hetmyer, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Donovan Ferreira, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Kwena Maphaka and Adam Milne.

PCB to take legal action against players leaving PSL for IPL: Mohsin Naqvi

PCB is going to take legal action against players who have left the Pakistan Super League for Indian Premier League at the last minute. This is the second year in a row that the two leagues are clashing. The PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, said on March 22 (Sunday), “We will take action against those players according to the rules.”

However, Naqvi mentioned, “Clashing with the IPL is not an issue because if players are going there, we’re getting excellent players coming here as well. We could not afford to postpone the PSL because we have no other window all year.”

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