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Pakistan Super League (2026): Discussion Thread

Who's coming to Pakistan in this environment? They are reveling in their new franchises and logos but reality may be that no foreign player comes with the war going on. Hopefully, things will subside by the time PSL starts.
 
BLACKCAPS coaches to take up PSL opportunity

BLACKCAPS assistant coaches Luke Ronchi and Jacob Oram have been granted leave by NZC to take up coaching appointments with Islamabad United in the 2026 Pakistan Super League which gets underway later this month.

Ronchi, who played for the franchise from 2017-2021, returns in the role as head coach with Oram confirmed as one of his assistants.

With the PSL starting on March 26 and running until late April followed by the finals, the pair will miss the BLACKCAPS upcoming series against South Africa and the tour to Bangladesh in April.

BLACKCAPS performance manager Mike Sandle said the team and NZC supported Ronchi and Oram pursuing the coaching opportunity.

“This is a great chance for Luke and Jake to further their coaching experience and grow their skills outside of the New Zealand cricket environment,” Sandle said.

“Just like our players, our coaches are in demand around the world and we believe Luke and Jake will not only personally benefit from their time at the PSL, but they will also be able to bring back knowledge and IP that can aid the BLACKCAPS and NZC in the future.”

Sandle confirmed Wellington Blaze coach Jonny Bassett-Graham and NZC network coach Graeme Aldridge would assist Rob Walter in the upcoming South Africa series, with Canterbury’s Brendon Donkers to assist on the tour of Bangladesh.

“One of the added bonuses of Luke and Jake heading to the PSL is the opportunity it affords other coaches in the NZC network,” Sandle said.

“It will be great to have Jonny, Graeme and Brendon join the BLACKCAPS and I’m sure they will get a lot of out their time in the environment and the experience of working alongside our players and support staff.

“Their involvement will naturally help strengthen our high-performance coaching depth and we hope the coaches themselves will be able to take back some of what they’ve learned to benefit the domestic set-ups."

The BLACKCAPS take on South Africa in the first of five KFC T20Is at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday, with the series being played as double-headers with the WHITE FERNS and South Africa women.
 
Smith, Warner’s PSL plans under scanner amid ‘Do Not Travel’ alert

Australian stars Steve Smith and David Warner are facing growing uncertainty over their participation in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), as security concerns in the region cast a shadow over the tournament.

According to a report from Australian outlet Codesport.com, several Australian players and coaches, including Glenn Maxwell and Marnus Labuschagne, are expected to feature in the PSL, which begins on March 26.

However, escalating tensions involving Pakistan and neighbouring regions have prompted serious discussions behind the scenes.

Players have reportedly been briefed about safety risks, including conflict-related disruptions and travel complications.

Flights in and out of the region have already been affected, adding to the uncertainty.

The biggest concern surrounds a scheduled match in Peshawar, a city currently classified as “Do Not Travel” by the Australian government due to security threats.

Despite these risks, teams are continuing preparations, with some Australian players expected to arrive in Pakistan soon. The situation has left many weighing professional commitments against personal safety.

To address concerns, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed contingency measures, including the possibility of evacuating players via private jet if the situation worsens.

While the tournament is still set to go ahead as planned, the final decisions of players like Smith and Warner may depend on how the security situation evolves in the coming days.


timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Smith, Warner’s PSL plans under scanner amid ‘Do Not Travel’ alert | Cricket News - The Times of India

Cricket News: NEW DELHI: Australian stars Steve Smith and David Warner are facing growing uncertainty over their participation in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), a.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com timesofindia.indiatimes.com
 
Cricket Warrior said:
Smith, Warner’s PSL plans under scanner amid ‘Do Not Travel’ alert

Australian stars Steve Smith and David Warner are facing growing uncertainty over their participation in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), as security concerns in the region cast a shadow over the tournament.

According to a report from Australian outlet Codesport.com, several Australian players and coaches, including Glenn Maxwell and Marnus Labuschagne, are expected to feature in the PSL, which begins on March 26.

However, escalating tensions involving Pakistan and neighbouring regions have prompted serious discussions behind the scenes.

Players have reportedly been briefed about safety risks, including conflict-related disruptions and travel complications.

Flights in and out of the region have already been affected, adding to the uncertainty.

The biggest concern surrounds a scheduled match in Peshawar, a city currently classified as “Do Not Travel” by the Australian government due to security threats.

Despite these risks, teams are continuing preparations, with some Australian players expected to arrive in Pakistan soon. The situation has left many weighing professional commitments against personal safety.

To address concerns, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed contingency measures, including the possibility of evacuating players via private jet if the situation worsens.

While the tournament is still set to go ahead as planned, the final decisions of players like Smith and Warner may depend on how the security situation evolves in the coming days.


timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Smith, Warner’s PSL plans under scanner amid ‘Do Not Travel’ alert | Cricket News - The Times of India

Cricket News: NEW DELHI: Australian stars Steve Smith and David Warner are facing growing uncertainty over their participation in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), a.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Click to expand...

I will be surprised if even a single Australian actually shows up.
 
Cricket Warrior said:
Smith, Warner’s PSL plans under scanner amid ‘Do Not Travel’ alert

Australian stars Steve Smith and David Warner are facing growing uncertainty over their participation in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), as security concerns in the region cast a shadow over the tournament.

According to a report from Australian outlet Codesport.com, several Australian players and coaches, including Glenn Maxwell and Marnus Labuschagne, are expected to feature in the PSL, which begins on March 26.

However, escalating tensions involving Pakistan and neighbouring regions have prompted serious discussions behind the scenes.

Players have reportedly been briefed about safety risks, including conflict-related disruptions and travel complications.

Flights in and out of the region have already been affected, adding to the uncertainty.

The biggest concern surrounds a scheduled match in Peshawar, a city currently classified as “Do Not Travel” by the Australian government due to security threats.

Despite these risks, teams are continuing preparations, with some Australian players expected to arrive in Pakistan soon. The situation has left many weighing professional commitments against personal safety.

To address concerns, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed contingency measures, including the possibility of evacuating players via private jet if the situation worsens.

While the tournament is still set to go ahead as planned, the final decisions of players like Smith and Warner may depend on how the security situation evolves in the coming days.


timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Smith, Warner’s PSL plans under scanner amid ‘Do Not Travel’ alert | Cricket News - The Times of India

Cricket News: NEW DELHI: Australian stars Steve Smith and David Warner are facing growing uncertainty over their participation in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), a.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Click to expand...
There should be no match in Peshawar

Sorry
 
Cricket Warrior said:
Smith, Warner’s PSL plans under scanner amid ‘Do Not Travel’ alert

Australian stars Steve Smith and David Warner are facing growing uncertainty over their participation in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), as security concerns in the region cast a shadow over the tournament.

According to a report from Australian outlet Codesport.com, several Australian players and coaches, including Glenn Maxwell and Marnus Labuschagne, are expected to feature in the PSL, which begins on March 26.

However, escalating tensions involving Pakistan and neighbouring regions have prompted serious discussions behind the scenes.

Players have reportedly been briefed about safety risks, including conflict-related disruptions and travel complications.

Flights in and out of the region have already been affected, adding to the uncertainty.

The biggest concern surrounds a scheduled match in Peshawar, a city currently classified as “Do Not Travel” by the Australian government due to security threats.

Despite these risks, teams are continuing preparations, with some Australian players expected to arrive in Pakistan soon. The situation has left many weighing professional commitments against personal safety.

To address concerns, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed contingency measures, including the possibility of evacuating players via private jet if the situation worsens.

While the tournament is still set to go ahead as planned, the final decisions of players like Smith and Warner may depend on how the security situation evolves in the coming days.


timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Smith, Warner’s PSL plans under scanner amid ‘Do Not Travel’ alert | Cricket News - The Times of India

Cricket News: NEW DELHI: Australian stars Steve Smith and David Warner are facing growing uncertainty over their participation in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), a.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Click to expand...


PCB should kidnap them and bring them to Pakistan to play the PSL. Pakistani fans deserve to watch Marnus’ magnificent T20 brutal, attacking, powerful, gigantic sixes.
 
Someone buy Litton Das and Soumya Sarkar two of the finest hindu cricketers ever produced in Bangladesh. Am sure the Indian posters will back them up too.
 
Peshawar Zalmi vs Rawalpindi match in Peshawar is likely to be moved due to the recent situation.

Ye to abhi se darne lage hai. .

:klopp :kp
 
So far 14 overseas players have withdrawn or are ruled out from PSL 11: Baartman, Bryant, Shamar, Charles, Shanaka, Motie, McGurk, Laurie, Vince, Gurbaz, Spencer, Bevon, Muzrarbani, Tymal.

#NewEra 🔥
 
PSL 2026: Teams allowed to submit two XIs and pick one after toss

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Marnus Labuschagne, captains of Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen, walked out with two team sheets each for the toss ahead of the opening match of PSL 2026 and selected their final XIs based on which way the coin fell.

This was in accordance with a new regulation in the PSL playing conditions, which permits the captains to submit two team sheets to the match referee before the toss and finalise one of the submitted line-ups after the toss.

The clause 1.2.1 in the "Nomination and Replacement of Players" section reads: "Before the toss, each captain may submit two (2) different XI lineups in writing to the PSL Match Referee. Each lineup must include 11 players and a maximum of 4 substitute fielders (subject to Clause 1.2.5). After the toss, each captain must finalise one of the two submitted lineups by signing the selected team sheet. Once the final lineup has been nominated, no player listed in the selected playing eleven may be changed before the start of the match without the consent of the opposing captain."

Tosses can play a significant role in this part of the world in night matches as a result of dew. The ball often gets wet and difficult to grip for the spinners, making them ineffective in the second innings. This change in the playing conditions is expected to provide a level playing field - a team batting first can add a fast bowler instead of a spinner while a team batting second can look to add depth to their batting.

There were no signs of dew in the first match of the season however because of the wind throughout the day and cloud cover.


 
Cricket Warrior said:
PSL 2026: Teams allowed to submit two XIs and pick one after toss

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Marnus Labuschagne, captains of Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen, walked out with two team sheets each for the toss ahead of the opening match of PSL 2026 and selected their final XIs based on which way the coin fell.

This was in accordance with a new regulation in the PSL playing conditions, which permits the captains to submit two team sheets to the match referee before the toss and finalise one of the submitted line-ups after the toss.

The clause 1.2.1 in the "Nomination and Replacement of Players" section reads: "Before the toss, each captain may submit two (2) different XI lineups in writing to the PSL Match Referee. Each lineup must include 11 players and a maximum of 4 substitute fielders (subject to Clause 1.2.5). After the toss, each captain must finalise one of the two submitted lineups by signing the selected team sheet. Once the final lineup has been nominated, no player listed in the selected playing eleven may be changed before the start of the match without the consent of the opposing captain."

Tosses can play a significant role in this part of the world in night matches as a result of dew. The ball often gets wet and difficult to grip for the spinners, making them ineffective in the second innings. This change in the playing conditions is expected to provide a level playing field - a team batting first can add a fast bowler instead of a spinner while a team batting second can look to add depth to their batting.

There were no signs of dew in the first match of the season however because of the wind throughout the day and cloud cover.


Click to expand...

That's a really good idea from the PCB.

Well done.
 
Yes very very poor Kit color that was , whereas in some PSL threads their kit was shown black and gold shade, on cricket aspect overall an average game in terms of quality, SSA etc just beat the Bush they were not tested and I'm afraid that will be the story of this PSL. Let's hope for some exciting games ahead
 
Easily the most dullest opening to a PSL season. No fans, bland production, rubbish commentary, and a performance by HK to match all of the above.
 
shariqnoor said:
Easily the most dullest opening to a PSL season. No fans, bland production, rubbish commentary, and a performance by HK to match all of the above.
Click to expand...

If Misbah and Imam-ul-Haq were participating in some kind of circus during the opening ceremony, you would argue it's the best PSL that you've ever seen.
 
Savak said:
Salman Sarwar apparently has a net worth of $150 million. Surely he can afford to spend on high quality kits
Click to expand...
This ghaplebazi must have been done by someone in team management responsible for the kits
 
Savak said:
Salman Sarwar apparently has a net worth of $150 million. Surely he can afford to spend on high quality kits
Click to expand...

This remind me of one of your posts from some years ago, where you said PCB should look for Arab billionaires to buy franchises. Is this still feasible?
 
FB_IMG_1774551850515.jpg

So two playing Xi before toss and final submission after toss . PsL 11 gets a tactical change , strategic or dumb !
 
Marnus Labuschagne on Pink ball saga:

"I did say to the umpires after the second over, What’s going on? The ball is red, it must be from the clothes or something like that. I’ve never seen anything like that."
 
Update on HBL PSL 11 Playing Conditions

• HBL PSL teams can now submit two team sheets before the toss and the respective skipper can choose one based on the outcome of the toss

• The official nomenclature of the league is HBL PSL; Media houses are advised to use the correct nomenclature in all texts, headlines and bulletins

Lahore, 27 March 2026:

The Pakistan Cricket Board has today confirmed an update in the Playing Conditions of the 11th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League which has been in place since the opening match of the tournament between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen on Thursday.

It concerns with the Nomination and Replacement of Players – the article 1.2 of the HBL PSL Playing conditions, which reads as, “Before the toss, each captain may submit two (2) different XI lineups in writing to the HBL PSL Match Referee.

“Each lineup must include 11 players and a maximum of four (4) substitute fielders (subject to Clause 1.2.5). After the toss, each captain must finalise one of the two submitted lineups by signing the selected team sheet.

“Once the final lineup has been nominated, no player listed in the selected playing eleven may be changed before the start of the match without the consent of the opposing captain”.

It is also to be noted that no player shall be changed after the Call of Play except for concussion replacement.

This change in the playing conditions was made in order to nullify the outside factors especially dew skewing the balance towards one side during the first or the second innings of the match.
 
Ball Blazer said:
Update on HBL PSL 11 Playing Conditions

• HBL PSL teams can now submit two team sheets before the toss and the respective skipper can choose one based on the outcome of the toss

• The official nomenclature of the league is HBL PSL; Media houses are advised to use the correct nomenclature in all texts, headlines and bulletins

Lahore, 27 March 2026:

The Pakistan Cricket Board has today confirmed an update in the Playing Conditions of the 11th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League which has been in place since the opening match of the tournament between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen on Thursday.

It concerns with the Nomination and Replacement of Players – the article 1.2 of the HBL PSL Playing conditions, which reads as, “Before the toss, each captain may submit two (2) different XI lineups in writing to the HBL PSL Match Referee.

“Each lineup must include 11 players and a maximum of four (4) substitute fielders (subject to Clause 1.2.5). After the toss, each captain must finalise one of the two submitted lineups by signing the selected team sheet.

“Once the final lineup has been nominated, no player listed in the selected playing eleven may be changed before the start of the match without the consent of the opposing captain”.

It is also to be noted that no player shall be changed after the Call of Play except for concussion replacement.

This change in the playing conditions was made in order to nullify the outside factors especially dew skewing the balance towards one side during the first or the second innings of the match.
Click to expand...
Seems like a pointless exercise.
 
So Day 2 of PSL and what we have so far

* HHK kit issue
* Naseem Shah tweets his heart out
* Elite attends PSL leaving a bad taste
* Rauf speaks out rubbish hailing LQ attack as world beaters
* Naseem Shah gets show cause notice
 
Kianig89 said:
So Day 2 of PSL and what we have so far

* HHK kit issue
* Naseem Shah tweets his heart out
* Elite attends PSL leaving a bad taste
* Rauf speaks out rubbish hailing LQ attack as world beaters
* Naseem Shah gets show cause notice
Click to expand...
LQ bowling is very good.
 
Haven't seen a single game but from what little visuals I've seen looks like probably the worst season yet.

Hyderabad's kit awful with the colour coming off and going on the ball from the start.

The overall quality of all the kits look very cheap.

Just having a few celebs in the ground cheering looks bad when the crowds aren't allowed.

Should've had some games in Pindi aswell instead of Karachi. 3 grounds would've been better.

Some of the players aren’t good at all the other day I see that Emon from Bangladesh was playing for someone when his own stats are bad and he doesn't get much games for Bangladesh either.

Where did all these players come from :inti
 
A very rough, boring start to this event... Ground is a must otherwise nobody is gonna give much interest to this tournament.
 
Former Pakistan spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has come under severe criticism after his unwanted verbal attack on England’s Dominic Cork. This incident happened during a conversation at the Pakistan Super League (PSL 2026) fixture between Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators.

The match was played on March 27 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, and Dominic Cork was the presenter who had ex-Pakistan spinners Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq for company, and they were discussing the intricacies of spin bowling.

Mushtaq attempted to irritate Cork in the lead-up to the match by claiming that he had frequently gotten him out throughout their playing careers. The statement somewhat surprised the former England pacer, and despite the former's persistence on proceeding, Mushtaq continued to remind him of it.

Here's how the conversation went between Mushtaq Ahmed and Dominic Cork:

Cork: “You were a genius; you turned the ball both ways. Adam Zampa is behind us. What would you be telling him about bowling on this surface?”

Mushtaq: “Before I tell Zampa something, let me tell you something. How many times have you been in my pocket? Test matches, ODIs, and first-class matches. You remember that? I have got a great memory, let me tell you that.”

Cork: “Mushy, you got me out once.”

Mushtaq: “I think many times.”

Cork: “But I couldn't bat. Don't worry about getting me out. Get that top order out.”

Mushtaq: “I think you're being modest here, Dom. You used to play for England as an all-rounder.”

Cork: “Less about me, more about this surface. I want to know about Adam Zampa.”
circleofcricket.com

WATCH- “How many times have you been in my pocket”- Mushtaq Ahmed embarrasses Dominic Cork; gets bashed for lack of manners

Mushtaq Ahmed and Dominic Cork's incident happened before the PSL 2026 game between KK and QG.
circleofcricket.com circleofcricket.com
 
Yesterday i was watching HK vs MS match and it seemed to me that the boundaries were very small especially square. The boundary rope seemed good 20 25 meter in.
 
PSL 11 (2026), boundary sizes vary across the six different venues, but they are generally maintained within the 65–90 yard (59.43–82.29 meter) range to stay consistent with international standards.
 
Good couple of days at PSL.

I don’t care about results so much, I don’t support any particular team. Every team has some duds that I really can never bring myself to support.

However, I want some of these youngsters to express themselves and demonstrate to the “there’s no on better” brigade to go back to their Jurassic period.

Great to see some good, solid innings from Hassan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Naeem, Sameer Minhas, Arafat Minhas, Yasir Khan, even Azam Khan (he’s taken some stick recently, but good to see his innings).
 
Ball Blazer said:
Former Pakistan spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has come under severe criticism after his unwanted verbal attack on England’s Dominic Cork. This incident happened during a conversation at the Pakistan Super League (PSL 2026) fixture between Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators.

The match was played on March 27 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, and Dominic Cork was the presenter who had ex-Pakistan spinners Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq for company, and they were discussing the intricacies of spin bowling.

Mushtaq attempted to irritate Cork in the lead-up to the match by claiming that he had frequently gotten him out throughout their playing careers. The statement somewhat surprised the former England pacer, and despite the former's persistence on proceeding, Mushtaq continued to remind him of it.

Here's how the conversation went between Mushtaq Ahmed and Dominic Cork:

Cork: “You were a genius; you turned the ball both ways. Adam Zampa is behind us. What would you be telling him about bowling on this surface?”

Mushtaq: “Before I tell Zampa something, let me tell you something. How many times have you been in my pocket? Test matches, ODIs, and first-class matches. You remember that? I have got a great memory, let me tell you that.”

Cork: “Mushy, you got me out once.”

Mushtaq: “I think many times.”

Cork: “But I couldn't bat. Don't worry about getting me out. Get that top order out.”

Mushtaq: “I think you're being modest here, Dom. You used to play for England as an all-rounder.”

Cork: “Less about me, more about this surface. I want to know about Adam Zampa.”
circleofcricket.com

WATCH- “How many times have you been in my pocket”- Mushtaq Ahmed embarrasses Dominic Cork; gets bashed for lack of manners

Mushtaq Ahmed and Dominic Cork's incident happened before the PSL 2026 game between KK and QG.
circleofcricket.com circleofcricket.com
Click to expand...
No wonder our players don't improve it seems like if you are an ex player and grow a beard you can become a coach and an analyst.
 
Good to see some youngsters stepping up... Naeem, maaz, Hasan, Sameer, arafat.... Keep going
 
BouncerGuy said:
Good to see some youngsters stepping up... Naeem, maaz, Hasan, Sameer, arafat.... Keep going
Click to expand...
It's been good to see on the batting side but the bowling has been terrible to watch. Apart from a couple of decent established bowlers, it's been mostly the same old tired and useless bowlers we've seen struggling at any decent level. Really wanted to see a couple of new names emerge but all of the relatively new bowlers that have been given a chance look way below even PSL standards nevermind international prospects.
 
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