PSL 2026: PCB Issues Strong Clarification On Overseas Players Opting Out

PSL 2026: The Pakistan Cricket Board has revealed the training schedules of all franchises, even though there are ongoing political tensions in the country. The geopolitical tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan might have escalated over the last few days, but according to a report by the Express Tribune, no overseas player, such as an Australian, has informed their team of their unavailability. The tournament opener will be held between the reigning champions, Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen at the Gaddafi Stadium. The report also said that the PCB officials have ensured that the tournament will be held as per schedule and that all teams will start practicing from March 24 to 25.

The PCB previously kept the UAE as a backup venue, but the report states there are no plans to move the tournament this time. Participating players will receive state-level security, and the final is set for May 3.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh players in the upcoming PSL faced challenges due to regional tensions.

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Players like Mustafizur Rahman, Parvaiz Hossain Emon, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, and Rishad Hossain received NOCs from the BCB at the auction. Now, according to Cricbuzz, the board will seek government approval before allowing these players to travel.

"Of course, we will seek permission from the government before sending our cricketers for the PSL. Under normal circumstances, these things are not required. We provide clearance, they go, play, and return. But since the situation is not normal and there is a risk element concerning the players, obviously, we will discuss it with the government," Nazmul Abedin, who is the chairman of BCB cricket operations, was quoted as saying to Cricbuzz.

"We will seek to know from the government whether it will be safe to travel or not, and based on that government decision, we will have to take the ultimate call on whether the players will go or not," he added.

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"Because it is not actually possible for us to understand the situation there. The government can know. The government will know, and if it tells us it is safe to go and that the players can travel, then the players will go. But in principle, we have decided to give the NOC, and they will go to play. But it depends on the situation at that time," he concluded.