The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has encountered a significant setback as several renowned international cricketers have pulled out from the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 2024. This stems from scheduling conflicts with other franchise-based tournaments and the refusal of many cricket boards to grant permission for their players to participate in domestic T20 competitions.


Pakistan Super League (PSL), the premier domestic T20 competition in Pakistan is set to commence in Lahore on February 17, and has been dealt a substantial blow as numerous players have chosen to participate in alternative leagues like the Bangladesh Premier League, ILT20, and SA20.


Multan Sultans, a PSL team, have faced setbacks with multiple players they initially signed for the upcoming season choosing not to participate. The latest withdrawal is in the form of England fast bowler Reece Topley, who cited injury as the reason. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed the denial of a no-objection certificate (NOC) for Topley's PSL participation. Other cricket boards are also reconsidering issuing NOCs for their players to participate in the PSL.


Notably, Multan Sultans will be without Pakistan fast bowler Ehsanullah, who is yet to recover from elbow surgery he underwent last year after PSL. Peshawar Zalmi has lost South African cricketer Lungi Ngidi, while Quetta Gladiators will miss the services of Sri Lankan player Wanandu Hasaranga.


Furthermore, cricketers from West Indies, South Africa, England, and Afghanistan, including Shai Hope, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van Der Dussen, James Vince, Noor Ahmed, and Naveen ul Haq, among others, have opted out of the entire PSL tournament.


Need For A Change In PSL Window


A PSL franchise owner has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider the tournament window, expressing concern that attracting prominent players becomes challenging when multiple leagues are scheduled consecutively.


“The SA20 ended recently and the ILT20 concludes on the day the PSL begins, so it is getting difficult to sign big players now. There is an acute need to change the PSL window, else it will lose its charm if we don't get big overseas names,” he said on the condition of anonymity as quoted by PTI