Rawalpindi Pindiz owner Ahsan Tahir has strongly criticised the decisions of Dasun Shanaka and Blessing Muzarabani to leave the Pakistan Super League in favour of IPL opportunities, urging the Pakistan Cricket Board to impose strict bans on players who withdraw at the last moment. He stressed that national pride should not be compromised and called for firm action to protect the league’s integrity.
The scheduling overlap between the PSL and IPL this season — with the tournaments set to begin on March 26 and March 28 respectively — has placed international players in a position where they must prioritise contracts based on individual preferences. In recent days, several players have opted to feature in the IPL instead, creating concerns among PSL franchises and organisers.
Shanaka, for example, withdrew from Lahore Qalandars to join Rajasthan Royals as a replacement for Sam Curran, while Muzarabani made a late switch to Kolkata Knight Riders after stepping away from his PSL commitment. Their decisions have triggered criticism from franchise owners and officials in Pakistan.
Speaking on the “Relukattay Show”, Tahir called for disciplinary measures. “National pride ka tou mazak hai hee nahi, tou bilkul strict action lena chahiye,” Tahir said.
He added that franchises invest considerable time, resources and planning into assembling balanced squads, and last-minute changes disrupt team stability while also disappointing fans who are emotionally invested in the competition.
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PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had recently indicated that the board would address such situations in line with its regulations. He referenced last season’s case involving Corbin Bosch, who was banned after accepting an IPL contract while still tied to a PSL franchise.
With similar incidents occurring again this year, Naqvi has suggested that the board is determined to find measures to prevent such disruptions in the future. For now, however, the PCB’s immediate priority remains ensuring the smooth conduct of the PSL amid ongoing fuel challenges and wider global political tensions. Although postponement was considered, the board opted to proceed due to the absence of a suitable window later in the calendar.
