New Zealand Player Leaves PSL, Replacement Called From Sri Lanka

New Zealand [Source: AFP]

In an important update, New Zealand batter Bevon Jacobs has left Pakistan Super League (PSL 2026) as confirmed by the his franchise Quetta Gladiators. This development comes as New Zealand prepare for a three-match ODI and T20I series against the Bangladesh. 

Notably, Jacobs left the tournament to join New Zealand’s national squad ahead of their upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh, scheduled to begin on April 27.

As a result, the young batter is leaving the PSL to join his national side ahead of the series starting on 27 April. Earlier, Quetta Gladiators had signed him for PKR 60 lakh as one of their overseas players.

Bevon Jacobs' short yet impressive performance for Quetta Gladiators

Although Jacobs featured in only a few matches, he still delivered a noticeable performance. In three games, he scored 52 runs. In addition, his best innings came against the Multan Sultans, where he remained unbeaten on 49.

This knock showed his ability and gave fans a clear sign of his potential. Even so, national duty remains a top priority for any player.

Will Bevon Jacobs face a ban?

At the same time, many fans are curious about whether Jacobs will face a ban for leaving the PSL mid-season. Recently, some players have faced penalties. However, Jacobs will not be banned.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is focusing on players who leave the PSL to take part in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In contrast, Jacobs is leaving for international duty, which is treated differently.

For instance, Blessing Muzarabani received a two-year ban after withdrawing from the PSL and joining the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026. This example shows the PCB’s strict stance in such cases.

Sri Lankan player named as replacement

Meanwhile, Quetta Gladiators have acted quickly and announced a replacement. The team has signed experienced Sri Lankan batter Dinesh Chandimal for the rest of the season.

He is expected to arrive in Pakistan shortly and will join the squad without delay. Therefore, the team gains both stability and experience.

Dinesh Chandimal’s performance in PSL

Moreover, Chandimal is familiar with the PSL environment. He previously represented Quetta Gladiators in the last season. During that time, he scored 87 runs in three matches, with a highest score of an unbeaten 48.

At the international level, he has played 69 T20I matches for Sri Lanka and scored 1,066 runs, including six half-centuries. As a result, his presence adds depth to the batting lineup.

Looking at the team’s performance, Quetta Gladiators, led by Saud Shakeel, are currently placed fifth on the points table. They have secured 2 wins and faced 4 losses in 6 matches. Their net run rate stands at +0.258.

It is important to note that PSL 2026 is taking place under unusual conditions. Matches are being held behind closed doors due to security concerns linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict. In addition, the tournament, which began on March 26, is limited to two cities. Even under these conditions, the competition continues to progress steadily.

Quetta Gladiators squad: Saud Shakeel (c), Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, Hasan Nawaz, Shamyl Hussain, Alzarri Joseph, Rilee Rossouw, Ahmed Daniyal, Jahanzaib Sultan, Jahandad Khan, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Khan Zeb, Bismillah Khan, Saqib Khan, Ahsaan Ali, Brett Hampton, Sam Harper, Dinesh Chandimal, Ben McDermott, Tom Curran

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