The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has faced increasing challenge in the last two seasons as several players left the tournament to join the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL). Traditionally, the PSL is held between January and March, allowing it to finish before the IPL starts.
However, during the past two years, the PSL has overlapped with the IPL, causing a major problem for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Whenever there are injury replacements or other vacancies in the squad in the IPL, players involved in the PSL have been tempted to leave Pakistan and switch leagues.
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In 2025, the PSL was moved to March–April as Pakistan hosted the Champions Trophy in February, leading to a head-to-head clash with the IPL. This year too, the schedule was pushed back after the T20 World Cup was held in February and March, again forcing the PSL into an overlapping window with the IPL.
FROM BOSCH TO ŞANAKA
The first major instance of a player with a PSL contract moving to the IPL came last year when South Africa’s Corbin Bosch was picked by Peshawar Zalmi in the Diamond category for PSL 2025, in a deal reportedly worth around US$85,000.
However, he later withdrew after joining Mumbai Indians as a replacement for the IPL for Proteas pacer Lizaad Williams when the two leagues overlapped. The PCB issued him a legal notice terming it a breach of contract. Bosch later apologized but received a one-year PSL ban and a fine, ruling him out of the 2026 PSL.
There have already been two more PSL-to-IPL switches in IPL 2026 following Bosch’s controversial move last year. Signed by Islamabad United as a replacement for Shamar Joseph, Blessing Muzarabani quit the PSL before joining Kolkata Knight Riders after the three-time champions parted ways with Mustafizur Rahman, who was bought for INR 9.20 million in the auction.
Meanwhile in Sri Lanka Dasun Shanaka joins 2008 champions Rajasthan Royals. as an injury replacement for England all-rounder Sam Curran, according to reports. If Shanak’s move goes through, it would become another example of the growing conflict between the PSL and the IPL that is hurting the Pakistan Super League.
IS THERE ANOTHER COMING?
Apart from Blessing Muzarabani and Dasun Shanaka, there could be more PSL-to-IPL switches in the coming days. West Indies’ Gudakesh Motie has already pulled out of the PSL where he was supposed to play for Lahore Qalandars and there have been rumors linking him with a possible move to Lucknow Super Giants, although nothing has been officially confirmed.
Meanwhile, Australian fast bowler Spencer Johnson, who was signed directly by Quetta Gladiators, is also set to retire from the PSL. He is also rumored to join Chennai Super Kings as a replacement for Nathan Ellis, but official confirmation is still awaited.
List of players to quit PSL to join IPL:
IPL 2025
- Corbin Bosch – Joined Mumbai Indians from Peshawar Zalmi
IPL 2026
- Blessing Muzarabani – Joined Kolkata Knight Riders from Islamabad United
- Dasun Shanaka – Joined Rajasthan Royals from Lahore Qalandars
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
March 23, 2026 07:23 IST
