PSL 2026 To Get Postponed? Mohsin Naqvi's PCB Breaks Silence

Navi breaks silence on PSL 2026 postponement [Source: AFP]

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has refuted the rumours that PSL 2026 will be delayed, and will not start on its original date (March 26). There is a growing concern that many key foreign players may not be available at the start of the tournament, and venue disruptions are also expected to occur.

In a report published by The Express Tribune, the PCB has released a statement that the tournament will commence on the scheduled date, and no overseas player has pulled out at the last moment.

PCB shuts down rumours of players pulling out of PSL

Amid rumours that foreign players are unwilling to come to Pakistan for the PSL due to the regional tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan, PCB has shut down all speculations and have been firm on their decision: PSL preparations are going as per plan, Peshawar match is still on, and all players will start the training soon.

Training sessions are set. to commence on March 24, and 25, a couple of days before the PSL 2026 season commences, and they have left little room for ambiguity.

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Australian players uncertain for the start of PSL 2026

There were reports that Australian players are not too keen to play in the PSL 2026 due to ongoing tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and also, the solitary PSL match in Peshawar could be shifted due to its proximity to the Afghan border.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are engaged in a conflict at present, with airtstrikes in Kabul killing at-least 400 people on Monday.

As a result, the Australian government has issued a "do not travel to Peshawar" warning for all the Aussie players.

However, the Mohsin Naqvi-led government has assured that the marquee PSL event will take place from March 26, despite tension with Afghanistan, and the ongoing USA-Israel-Iran war, which has severely disrupted travel plans across the globe.

Could PSL be shifted to the UAE?

With just six days left for the PSL 11 season, franchises are expecting the players and the support staff to arrive on time for the mega event. However, it is also reported that an overseas venue has also been put as a backup, in case of any mishap.

In the past, Pakistan has hosted the PSL in the UAE, and even though it is placed as a backup, the chances of the marquee tournament taking place there might not be a feasible idea, as the UAE has also witnessed attacks from Iran.

“PCB sources said that shifting matches to another country is not under consideration at this time, and they are hopeful the event will be held in Pakistan as scheduled. As always, players will be provided security equivalent to that of a head of state,” the report said.

PSL schedule and teams

The 11th edition of the PSL is slated to commence on March 26, with eight teams participating, and a total of 44 matches taking place across six venues- Lahore, Karachi, Multan, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, and Faisalabad.

The opening match of the tournament will take place between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Houtson Kingsmen. The playoffs will take place from April 28 to May 1, and the final is scheduled on May 3 in Lahore.

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