Harry Brook Ben Stokes Babar Azam. Image Credits: X
The Pakistan Super League (PSL 2026) has suffered a major setback after it has been confirmed that England star Harry Brook will not take part in the upcoming 11th edition of the tournament.
The confirmation was made by Lahore Qalandars owner Sameen Rana, who stated that Brook will not be available despite the franchise approaching him for a direct signing (Samaa TV).
While the exact reason for Harry Brook's absence has not been officially disclosed, his absence comes at a difficult time for the PSL, which is already facing scheduling and player-availability challenges ahead of the 2026 season.
LQ owners confirms Brook not available for PSL 2026
Harry Brook has been one of the most talked-about names recently, and his potential return to the PSL was highly anticipated.
Brook previously played for Lahore Qalandars in the 2021/22 season, where he delivered outstanding performances. In that edition, he scored 264 runs in 10 matches at an average of 52.80 and a strike rate of 171.42, including a match-winning unbeaten century of 102.
His return would have significantly boosted the PSL's profile, viewership, and competitiveness.
Meanwhile, recently the star player has also been in the news for off-field reasons. Recently, he admitted to lying to protect teammates following an incident involving a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand.
Brook was fined and issued a final warning for his conduct, with the matter becoming public only after England's Ashes series defeat.
IPL–PSL schedule clash and ECB stance create challenges
The 2026 season presents another challenge for the PSL as it clashes with the IPL 2026. The overlap in schedules has already impacted player availability, especially for international cricketers.
But this could not be the reason why Brook is not available for PSL 2026. It is important to note that Harry Brook has been banned from IPL for two years.
The ban was imposed by the BCCI after he withdrew from the IPL for consecutive seasons in 2024 and 2025. As a result, he is barred from participating in the IPL 2026 and 2027 seasons and their auctions.
Other English players likely to miss PSL 2026
Adding to the problem, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has remained non-committal regarding the release of English players for the PSL.
Under current ECB guidelines and contract structures, several England players are unlikely to feature in PSL 2026.
These include Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Mark Wood, Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Rehan Ahmed, Saqib Mahmood, Ollie Robinson, Matthew Potts, Brydon Carse, and Zak Crawley.
PCB eyes Joe Root as PSL looks to boost global appeal
The PCB is actively working to attract English players for PSL 2026. Reports suggest that discussions are ongoing between the PCB and the ECB to resolve issues related to scheduling, player availability, and NOCs.
One of the biggest names linked with the PSL this year is Joe Root. According to reports, the PCB is keen to bring Root into the league, which would mark his first-ever appearance in the PSL. His inclusion would be a major boost to the tournament’s international appeal.
