Faheem Ashraf Defends PSL Amid 2026 Season, Hits Back At Former Pakistan Captain

Faheem Ashraf Defends PSL Amid 2026 Season (Source: AFP Photos)

Faheem Ashraf has come to the defense of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) amidst the ongoing 2026 season in Pakistan. The star Pakistan all-rounder hit back at former national captain and expert commentator, Mohammad Hafeez, after the latter questioned the overall direction and the long-term impact of the league.

Ashraf is currently representing the Islamabad United franchise in PSL 2026 under the leadership of national teammate Shadab Khan.

Faheem Ashraf hits back at Mohammad Hafeez

Islamabad United all-rounder Faheem Ashraf has responded to the controversial remarks made by former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez against the PSL amid the ongoing 2026 season. The cricketer offered a firm defense of the decisions made by the players and also defended the broader structure of the league.

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While speaking with the reporters during a recent press conference in Karachi, the 32-year-old also discussed the apparent growing discourse among players who are stepping away from the PSL and how it is impacting Pakistan cricket in general.

Faheem Ashraf said “It was the same when he was playing in the PSL, but now he has stepped away. It is not personal, but such decisions can impact the future of our cricket, even if it does not affect us directly.”

The star all-rounder added that PSL will continue to thrive, as the league has plenty to offer for younger generations of Pakistan cricketers. He said “Our PSL will continue, and players like us will move on, but for the younger generation, we need to preserve and protect things in a better way so they face fewer challenges.”

What did Mohammad Hafeez say about PSL?

Mohammad Hafeez recently took a sly dig at the extravagant hype surrounding franchise T20 leagues like PSL. The former Pakistan captain also indirectly questioned the league’s apparent lack of impact on Pakistan cricket by suggesting that every season, PSL operates with the same cycle of promotion without making any notable impact.

While speaking with the local media in an interview, Hafeez said “The whistles will blow again — the stage will be set once more — the advertised superstars will come out — because our foundation is the PSL.”

It is worth noting that Hafeez himself played 78 PSL games for three different franchises during his playing days between the years 2015 and 2023.

How has PSL benefitted Pakistan cricket?

The PSL has already played a pivotal role in nurturing emerging talent in the country, creating a steady pipeline of young cricketers for the Pakistan national team. Moreover, the league also offers a testing ground for several senior Pakistan players in a bid to gain valuable match experience to prepare for big ICC tournaments.

While the Pakistan cricket team has been struggling to excel in ICC events off late, a legion of active Pakistan players like Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan among others eventually graduated through the PSL system into the national setup.

As the PSL 2026 season unfolds, the league once again finds itself at the centre of a broader debate surrounding its role in shaping the future of Pakistan cricket.

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