Pakistan Super League franchises have demanded a new window after nearly a dozen of international cricketers pulled out of the PSL 2024. The primary reason is an overdose of franchise cricket with SA20, ILT20 and BPL clashing with each other. Those three are followed by PSL, making it difficult for overseas stars to take part.
Among the high-profile names, England’s Reece Topley, South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi and Rassie van der Dussen are to name a few. Afghanistan duo of Naveen Ul Haq and Noor Ahmed have also pulled out as they will be busy in T20Is.
Furthermore, PSL 2024 will be followed by IPL 2024 which attracts most of the international cricketers. With international and IPL 2024 commitments, many cricketers have deserted PSL 2024.
Different window for PSL
As per a PTI report, franchise officials have asked Pakistan Cricket Board to check for a different window. With no clash with other leagues, overseas players could be available. The pullouts have been a regular issue in PSL.
“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,” a franchise official told PTI.
Latest on PSL 2024
PSL 2024 was supposed to be in a January-February window. But the General Elections pushed the window to February-March this time. However, even if it had happened in Jan-Feb, many players would have had to pull out as ILT20, SA20 and BPL all coincide. Furthermore, it’s a busy window for international cricket as well.
PSL 9 pullouts
- Rashid Khan (injury)
- Reece Topley (denied NOC)
- Shai Hope (international)
- Lungi Ngidi (Break before IPL)
- Wanandu Hasaranga (International)
- Shai Hope (International)
- Matthew Forde (International)
- Akeal Hosein (International)
- Tabraiz Shamsi (Break)
- Rassie van Der Dussen (Break)
- James Vince (Break)
- Noor Ahmed
- Naveen ul Haq
