PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said the board will take action against players who withdraw from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to join the Indian Premier League (IPL), as the two tournaments again overlap in 2026.

The statement comes after Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka opted out of the PSL to join Rajasthan Royals as a replacement for the injured Sam Curran, becoming the latest player affected by the scheduling clash between the two leagues.

Shanaka had been named in Lahore Qalandars’ squad for the PSL but withdrew ahead of the tournament. Australia allrounder Daniel Sams has been named as his replacement in the franchise.

Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani had earlier pulled out of the PSL after securing a contract with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. Several other players, including Gudakesh Motie, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Ottneil Baartman and Spencer Johnson, have also withdrawn from the PSL citing personal reasons.

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Naqvi said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would proceed under its regulations in such cases, referring to a similar instance last year when South Africa’s Corbin Bosch was banned from the PSL for one year after switching to the IPL despite being drafted by Peshawar Zalmi.

He added that while the scheduling overlap presents challenges, the PCB continues to attract international players and cannot shift the tournament due to a limited annual window.

PSL schedule and venue changes

The PSL is scheduled to begin on March 26, two days before the IPL starts in India. The PCB has confirmed that matches will be played behind closed doors due to an oil-related crisis linked to the ongoing West Asia situation.

The number of venues has also been reduced, with Lahore and Karachi set to host all matches instead of the originally planned six cities.