Several high-profile international cricketers have pulled out of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) due to the overlapping of dates with other franchise-based tournaments.
The PSL begins in Lahore on February 17 and all six franchises have been hit hard by the withdrawals.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also said it had not issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) to play in the PSL. Some other boards are also having second thoughts about giving NOCs for PSL.
PTI quotes a franchise owner as having urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider the tournament’s timing, citing challenges in attracting top-tier players with three concurrent leagues. He emphasised the scheduling overlap, noting the conclusion of SA20 and ILT20 just as the PSL commences, complicating player acquisitions.
He said on condition of anonymity, “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, or else it will lose its charm if we don’t get big overseas names,” he added.
Furthermore, he highlighted the busy January-February period for the international cricket series, including Sri Lanka versus Afghanistan, South Africa versus New Zealand, and West Indies versus Australia, underscoring the urgent need for adjusting the PSL window to maintain its allure and attract top overseas talent.
“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 added.
Peshawar Zalmi has lost South African cricketer Lungi Ngidi, while Quetta Gladiators will be without Sri Lankan player Wanandu Hasaranga.
Additionally, 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.
