Babar Azam, Pakistan's premier batter, has finall won a trophy as a captain. He led Peshwar Zalmi to Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 win on Sunday (May 3) at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore against Hyderabad Kingsmen to check one item off his bucket list. Often compared to modern great and India batter Kohli by his fans, Babar has achieved the title win as captain before Kohli - who has never won an ICC tournament or Indian Premier League (IPL) as captain. Kohli, nonetheless, remains not only one of the best batters ever to play, especially in white-ball but also a highly successful captain with wins U-19 ODI World Cup and Test tour in Australia under his belt.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-big-blow-for-rcb-as-phil-salt-returns-to-uk-for-finger-injury-scans-1777873612747">IPL 2026: Big blow for RCB as Phil Salt returns to UK for finger injury scans</a><h2>Babar lets bat do talking in PSL 2026</h2>Babar led the team from the front, scoring tournament-high 588 runs in 11 innings at an average of 73.50 and strike rate of nearly 146. He his three fifties and two hundreds in the season with a highest of 103. Babar's form was a cause of concern after a horrible 2026 T20 World Cup where scored just 91 runs in six innings. The batter, however, showed up when it mattered the most and took Peshawar Zalmi to their second PSL title. For Babar, it was his third PSL title as a player, having already won one title each with Islamabad United in 2016 and Karachi Kings in 2020.<h2>What Babar said after win?</h2>Babar has led in PSL since 2022 and has been captain of Pakistan in multiple ICC as well as ACC tournament but never managed to win a tournament. After the PSL 2026 title as the captain, he remarked: "I have a firm belief that you get what is destined for you. It can take some time or come to you quickly, but one should remain grateful to the almighty."The title, however, did not come without some nervy moments. Batting first, Kingsmen managed only 129 after a mini batting collapse saw them slid down to 73/6 from 71/2 in space of eight balls. Chasing the total, Peshawar themselves were 7/2 and then 40/4 before Aaron Hardie (56 not out) and Abdul Samad (48) added 85 runs for the fifth wicket as Zalmi chased down the target in 15.2 overs with five wickets in hand.

Often compared to modern great and India batter Kohli by his fans, Babar has achieved the title win as captain before Kohli - who has never won an ICC tournament or Indian Premier League (IPL) as captain.

Babar Azam, Pakistan's premier batter, has finall won a trophy as a captain. He led Peshwar Zalmi to Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 win on Sunday (May 3) at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore against Hyderabad Kingsmen to check one item off his bucket list. Often compared to modern great and India batter Kohli by his fans, Babar has achieved the title win as captain before Kohli - who has never won an ICC tournament or Indian Premier League (IPL) as captain. Kohli, nonetheless, remains not only one of the best batters ever to play, especially in white-ball but also a highly successful captain with wins U-19 ODI World Cup and Test tour in Australia under his belt. Also Read - IPL 2026: Big blow for RCB as Phil Salt returns to UK for finger injury scans Babar lets bat do talking in PSL 2026 Babar led the team from the front, scoring tournament-high 588 runs in 11 innings at an average of 73.50 and strike rate of nearly 146. He his three fifties and two hundreds in the season with a highest of 103. Babar's form was a cause of concern after a horrible 2026 T20 World Cup where scored just 91 runs in six innings. The batter, however, showed up when it mattered the most and took Peshawar Zalmi to their second PSL title. For Babar, it was his third PSL title as a player, having already won one title each with Islamabad United in 2016 and Karachi Kings in 2020. What Babar said after win? Babar has led in PSL since 2022 and has been captain of Pakistan in multiple ICC as well as ACC tournament but never managed to win a tournament. After the PSL 2026 title as the captain, he remarked: "I have a firm belief that you get what is destined for you. It can take some time or come to you quickly, but one should remain grateful to the almighty." The title, however, did not come without some nervy moments. Batting first, Kingsmen managed only 129 after a mini batting collapse saw them slid down to 73/6 from 71/2 in space of eight balls. Chasing the total, Peshawar themselves were 7/2 and then 40/4 before Aaron Hardie (56 not out) and Abdul Samad (48) added 85 runs for the fifth wicket as Zalmi chased down the target in 15.2 overs with five wickets in hand.

Often compared to modern great and India batter Kohli by his fans, Babar has achieved the title win as captain before Kohli - who has never won an ICC tournament or Indian Premier League (IPL) as captain.

'Grateful to almighty': How Babar Azam guided Peshawar Zalmi to PSL 2026 title for maiden trophy as captain

Usman Tariq and Ravichandran Ashwin are back at taking digs at each other. Several weeks after Ashwin first spoke about Tariq’s pauses while bowling, ahead of the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup game, he backed New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell for doing what he did during the PSL 2026 tie recently. Mitchell withdrew from playing against Tariq midway through his over during the April 10 match between Quetta Gladiators and Rawalpindi at the National Stadium in Karachi. While Tariq, as he bowls, paused before delivering, Mitchell just pulled out at that moment, urging the on-field officials to look into his controversial action.&nbsp;As Mitchell’s actions made headlines, Ashwin was quick to comment on the matter on his social media handle X. Following the incident, the video of which also went viral, Ashwin wrote, “Now it’s up to the umpires and match referees to time the pause for his delivery. If the pause ⌚️ isn’t consistent, then the batter has every right to move away. The captains &amp; opposition batters should raise this issue with the umpires and match referees before the game begins. Well done Mitchell 👏👏”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Now it’s upto the umpires and match referees to time the pause for his delivery. If the pause ⌚️ isn’t consistent, then the batter has every right to move away. The captains &amp; opposition batters should raise this issue with the umpires and match referees before the game begins.… <a href="https://t.co/16dreiVxlL">https://t.co/16dreiVxlL</a>&mdash; Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) <a href="https://twitter.com/ashwinravi99/status/2042854917669630420?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hours after Ashwin’s post began doing rounds on social media, Tariq took to his Instagram handle to respond via story, writing, "Unsporting Conduct (Foul Play): If the batter does this continuously to deliberately distract the bowler or waste time, it can be deemed unfair play. The umpire has the discretion to warn the batter, and if it continues, issue a penalty (usually 5 penalty runs to the fielding side). "Happy to hear 5 penalty runs, keep it up.”<h3>Ashwin’s earlier comments on Tariq’s action</h3>Tariq first made headlines for his pauses during the bilateral T20I series against Australia just before the World Cup, when Cameron Green accused him of chucking. Almost two weeks later, Tariq was in Pakistan’s playing XI for the marquee game against India.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-security-breach-bcci-secretary-devajit-saikia-promises-probe-into-rajasthan-royals-manager-romi-bhinder-phone-incident-rr-vs-rcb-guwahati-1775996177148">IPL Security Breach? BCCI secretary promises probe into Rajasthan Royals manager Romi Bhinder’s phone incident</a> &nbsp;Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said, "If he (Usman Tariq) stops before delivering the ball, the batsman has the right to move away. He can say, 'I thought he was stopping.' That will be an interesting case and a huge headache for the umpire. &nbsp;"If I were there, I would have done it. One should do everything to win a game within the rules. I would simply say I don't know when he will release the ball, and I would step away. If I move away, it is the umpire's responsibility. &nbsp;"Imagine the pressure on Usman Tariq in the middle of the match. It would be an incredible joyride. He is the ace up their sleeves; imagine what he becomes if the batsman reacts like that,” he added. &nbsp;Meanwhile, Tariq failed to leave an impression against India, returning with just one wicket in four overs, conceding 24 runs.

Pakistan’s Usman Tariq hits back at Ravichandran Ashwin after the Indian star backed Daryl Mitchell’s decision to pull away mid-delivery in PSL 2026. From "unsporting conduct" to 5-run penalty threats, get the full breakdown of this heated exchange over Tariq's controversial bowling pauses.

Usman Tariq and Ravichandran Ashwin are back at taking digs at each other. Several weeks after Ashwin first spoke about Tariq’s pauses while bowling, ahead of the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup game, he backed New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell for doing what he did during the PSL 2026 tie recently. Mitchell withdrew from playing against Tariq midway through his over during the April 10 match between Quetta Gladiators and Rawalpindi at the National Stadium in Karachi. While Tariq, as he bowls, paused before delivering, Mitchell just pulled out at that moment, urging the on-field officials to look into his controversial action. As Mitchell’s actions made headlines, Ashwin was quick to comment on the matter on his social media handle X. Following the incident, the video of which also went viral, Ashwin wrote, “Now it’s up to the umpires and match referees to time the pause for his delivery. If the pause ⌚️ isn’t consistent, then the batter has every right to move away. The captains & opposition batters should raise this issue with the umpires and match referees before the game begins. Well done Mitchell 👏👏”

Pakistan’s Usman Tariq hits back at Ravichandran Ashwin after the Indian star backed Daryl Mitchell’s decision to pull away mid-delivery in PSL 2026. From "unsporting conduct" to 5-run penalty threats, get the full breakdown of this heated exchange over Tariq's controversial bowling pauses.

Usman Tariq vs Ravi Ashwin: PAK's mystery spinner hits back amid Daryl Mitchell controversy in PSL 2026

A fresh controversy erupted in the Pakistan Super League 2026 when a match between Quetta Gladiators and Rawalpindiz was briefly disrupted by an on-field misunderstanding involving Daryl Mitchell and spinner Usman Tariq. The situation happened during the middle phase of the chase at the National Stadium in Karachi, where Tariq’s unusual bowling action, featuring a short pause before delivery, appeared to unsettle Mitchell. The batter repeatedly stepped out of his stance, indicating he was not fully set to face the delivery. This led to a short stoppage as the umpires stepped in to calm things down and ensure play could continue smoothly.&nbsp;&nbsp;The moment quickly drew attention from commentators and fans, who began debating whether the bowler’s action was fair and legal.<h2>Watch the video below</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Daryl Mitchell twice pulls out of facing Usman Tariq 😂🤣😭 <a href="https://t.co/HlDgOWMlPs">pic.twitter.com/HlDgOWMlPs</a>&mdash; Taimoor Zaman (@taimoor_ze) <a href="https://twitter.com/taimoor_ze/status/2042642331820790070?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-is-ms-dhoni-fit-to-play-csk-coach-provides-update-ahead-of-dc-clash-1775880973672">IPL 2026 | Is MS Dhoni fit to play? CSK coach provides update ahead of DC clash</a>&nbsp;Former Pakistan captain and commentator Ramiz Raja expressed frustration on air, suggesting that the batter should have managed the situation better while also urging officials to clarify the issue.&nbsp;Despite the interruption, Quetta Gladiators remained in control of the match, as they put up a competitive 182/6, anchored by a half-century from Rilee Rossouw and useful contribution from Saud Shakeel. Their bowlers then restricted the opposition, ensuring a comfortable 61-run victory.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-updated-points-table-rr-remain-on-top-rcb-hold-third-despite-loss-1775877785959">IPL 2026 updated points table: RR remain on top; RCB hold third despite loss</a>&nbsp;Tariq still made an impact with the ball, finishing with figures of two for 23, including the key dismissal of Mitchell, despite the controversy surrounding his action.&nbsp;&nbsp;The incident also revived discussions around past observations by Ravichandran Ashwin, who had previously noted that batters may be within their rights to step away if a bowler’s movement disrupts their timing.

A fair-play debate erupted in PSL 2026 after Daryl Mitchell refused to face Usman Tariq’s delivery. However, Tariq’s Quetta Gladiators dismantled Rawalpindiz in a dominant 61-run victory on Friday.

A fresh controversy erupted in the Pakistan Super League 2026 when a match between Quetta Gladiators and Rawalpindiz was briefly disrupted by an on-field misunderstanding involving Daryl Mitchell and spinner Usman Tariq. The situation happened during the middle phase of the chase at the National Stadium in Karachi, where Tariq’s unusual bowling action, featuring a short pause before delivery, appeared to unsettle Mitchell. The batter repeatedly stepped out of his stance, indicating he was not fully set to face the delivery. This led to a short stoppage as the umpires stepped in to calm things down and ensure play could continue smoothly. The moment quickly drew attention from commentators and fans, who began debating whether the bowler’s action was fair and legal. Watch the video below

A fair-play debate erupted in PSL 2026 after Daryl Mitchell refused to face Usman Tariq’s delivery. However, Tariq’s Quetta Gladiators dismantled Rawalpindiz in a dominant 61-run victory on Friday.

PSL 2026 | Daryl Mitchell refuses to face Usman Tariq after pause in action - Watch

Pakistani speedster Naseem Shah has suffered a double blow. After PCB slapped him with the largest fine imposed on anyone across all sports (PKR 20 million), concerns around his fitness and availability for the remainder of PSL 2026 have made headlines. Besides his behavioural issues, for which he escaped a two-year ban from the league, Naseem’s fitness has kept everyone, including his PSL franchise and Pakistan Cricket, on their toes.&nbsp;The premium pacer is likely to face action from the board over his fitness lapse and off-field conduct - pointing towards a now-deleted social media (X) post against Punjab’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz, for which PCB fined him PKR 20 million. In the meantime, Naseem will undergo an extensive rehabilitation program under the medical team’s supervision.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pcb-rejects-hacked-claim-naseem-shah-faces-pakistan-largest-ever-cricket-fine-maryam-nawaz-tweet-deleted-x-post-psl-2026-rawalpindiz-1774894484767">PCB Rejects 'Hacked' Claim: Naseem Shah faces Pakistan’s largest-ever cricket fine</a>&nbsp;“Naseem suffered a side strain during Rawalpindi’s match against Karachi Kings on Thursday and missed the team’s last match, which has raised serious questions over his fitness,” sources close to the information said in a chat with telecomasia.net.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Naseem’s rise has been stunted by off-field behaviour, his excessive attention to advertisements and podcasts, which has derailed his career. He also missed the 2023 ODI World Cup due to fitness issues, which are blots in his career.&nbsp;“Naseem will appear before the medical panel under Dr Javed Mughal in the next couple of days, as the selection committee is also not happy with his frequent fitness issues,” sources added.<h3>Injury history</h3>Meanwhile, after being demoted to the ‘C’ category last year, Naseem failed to make it to the T20 World Cup squad 2026 due to an injury. He returned to action during the National T20 Cup before featuring in PSL 2026, plying his trade for the newly-inducted franchise Rawalpindiz.&nbsp;&nbsp;In two contested matches, Naseem has picked just one wicket against the Karachi Kings but leaked 51 runs without picking one in the opener against Peshawar Zalmi.&nbsp;

Naseem Shah faces a dual crisis: a record PKR 20M fine over a Maryam Nawaz tweet and a side strain ruling him out of PSL 2026. Get the latest injury updates.

Pakistani speedster Naseem Shah has suffered a double blow. After PCB slapped him with the largest fine imposed on anyone across all sports (PKR 20 million), concerns around his fitness and availability for the remainder of PSL 2026 have made headlines. Besides his behavioural issues, for which he escaped a two-year ban from the league, Naseem’s fitness has kept everyone, including his PSL franchise and Pakistan Cricket, on their toes. The premium pacer is likely to face action from the board over his fitness lapse and off-field conduct - pointing towards a now-deleted social media (X) post against Punjab’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz, for which PCB fined him PKR 20 million. In the meantime, Naseem will undergo an extensive rehabilitation program under the medical team’s supervision. Also read | PCB Rejects 'Hacked' Claim: Naseem Shah faces Pakistan’s largest-ever cricket fine “Naseem suffered a side strain during Rawalpindi’s match against Karachi Kings on Thursday and missed the team’s last match, which has raised serious questions over his fitness,” sources close to the information said in a chat with telecomasia.net. “Naseem’s rise has been stunted by off-field behaviour, his excessive attention to advertisements and podcasts, which has derailed his career. He also missed the 2023 ODI World Cup due to fitness issues, which are blots in his career. “Naseem will appear before the medical panel under Dr Javed Mughal in the next couple of days, as the selection committee is also not happy with his frequent fitness issues,” sources added. Injury history Meanwhile, after being demoted to the ‘C’ category last year, Naseem failed to make it to the T20 World Cup squad 2026 due to an injury. He returned to action during the National T20 Cup before featuring in PSL 2026, plying his trade for the newly-inducted franchise Rawalpindiz. In two contested matches, Naseem has picked just one wicket against the Karachi Kings but leaked 51 runs without picking one in the opener against Peshawar Zalmi.

Naseem Shah faces a dual crisis: a record PKR 20M fine over a Maryam Nawaz tweet and a side strain ruling him out of PSL 2026. Get the latest injury updates.

Double blow for Naseem Shah: PKR 20m fine and PSL 2026 injury scare; here’s what we know

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected ‘hacked’ (social media account) claims over a now-deleted tweet by Naseem Shah, aimed to criticise Punjab’s chief minister, Maryam Nawaz, with the cricket board slapping the pacer with the largest fine imposed on anyone in the country's cricket history. The PCB fined Naseem Shah PKR 20 million (approx. $72,000), two days after sending him a showcase notice over his actions.&nbsp;Shah, featuring for Rawalpindiz, one of the two new teams inducted into PSL from this season onwards, appeared to have taken a dig at Nawaz ahead of the tournament opener last Friday. Last week, PCB boss Mohsin Naqvi announced that PSL 2026 will be played without spectators in the wake of Pakistan’s need to reserve fuel amid Strait of Hormuz closure and the ongoing West Asia conflict.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bangladesh-fans-miss-ipl-2026-as-jiostar-cancels-broadcast-deal-1774872243153">Bangladesh fans miss IPL 2026 as JioStar cancels broadcast deal</a>&nbsp;Regardless, several dignitaries were present at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for the PSL 2026 opener, including Nawaz, the daughter of former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and niece of the current PM Shahbaz Sharif. Maryam Nawaz met players from both teams.&nbsp;However, a now-deleted tweet from Naseem’s account read, "Why is she treated like the Queen at Lord's?" Minutes later, the post was taken down and replaced with another post reading that his account was hacked, and has now been recovered by him.Meanwhile, a PCB statement said a three-member disciplinary committee held a hearing today, where Naseem apologised for the actions and sacked his social media manager. The PCB also stated that the same manager is now blacklisted by the board, restricting him from associating with any other player.&nbsp;Meanwhile, fast bowler Naseem Shah was the most-expensive player at the PSL auction earlier this year, going for PKR 86.50 million (approx. $310,000), with Rawalpindiz bagging his services.

The PCB has slapped Naseem Shah with a record-breaking PKR 20 million fine after rejecting his "hacked account" defense regarding a controversial tweet about Maryam Nawaz. Read the full details of the disciplinary hearing, the blacklisting of his social media manager.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected ‘hacked’ (social media account) claims over a now-deleted tweet by Naseem Shah, aimed to criticise Punjab’s chief minister, Maryam Nawaz, with the cricket board slapping the pacer with the largest fine imposed on anyone in the country's cricket history. The PCB fined Naseem Shah PKR 20 million (approx. $72,000), two days after sending him a showcase notice over his actions. Shah, featuring for Rawalpindiz, one of the two new teams inducted into PSL from this season onwards, appeared to have taken a dig at Nawaz ahead of the tournament opener last Friday. Last week, PCB boss Mohsin Naqvi announced that PSL 2026 will be played without spectators in the wake of Pakistan’s need to reserve fuel amid Strait of Hormuz closure and the ongoing West Asia conflict. Also read | Bangladesh fans miss IPL 2026 as JioStar cancels broadcast deal Regardless, several dignitaries were present at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for the PSL 2026 opener, including Nawaz, the daughter of former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and niece of the current PM Shahbaz Sharif. Maryam Nawaz met players from both teams. However, a now-deleted tweet from Naseem’s account read, "Why is she treated like the Queen at Lord's?" Minutes later, the post was taken down and replaced with another post reading that his account was hacked, and has now been recovered by him. Meanwhile, a PCB statement said a three-member disciplinary committee held a hearing today, where Naseem apologised for the actions and sacked his social media manager. The PCB also stated that the same manager is now blacklisted by the board, restricting him from associating with any other player. Meanwhile, fast bowler Naseem Shah was the most-expensive player at the PSL auction earlier this year, going for PKR 86.50 million (approx. $310,000), with Rawalpindiz bagging his services.

The PCB has slapped Naseem Shah with a record-breaking PKR 20 million fine after rejecting his "hacked account" defense regarding a controversial tweet about Maryam Nawaz. Read the full details of the disciplinary hearing, the blacklisting of his social media manager.

PCB Rejects 'Hacked' Claim: Naseem Shah faces Pakistan’s largest-ever cricket fine

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) saw an embarrassing incident on Sunday (Mar 29) when a ball tampering scandal broke out in last over during Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings in Lahore. The umpires handed a five-run penalty to bowling team, Lahore Qalandars, and charged Pakistan international Fakhar Zaman with offense of changing the condition of the ball. Needing 14 runs in the last over to win, Karachi Kings received the boost before the last over and eventually had to score just nine runs while chasing 129. Despite losing a wicket on the first ball of the last over, Kings kept the calm as Abbas Afridi hit a four and a six on the next two balls to see his team through by four wickets.<h2>What is PSL ball tampering drama and who was involved in it?</h2>The ball tamering refers to changing the condition of the ball and "it is an offence for any player to take any action which changes the condition of the ball," as per law 41.3.2 of the International Cricket Council. According to the PSL rules, umpires are expected to refer the matter to the match referee whom, in turn, takes "action as is considered appropriate against the players concerned."Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/injury-crises-hit-csk-camp-as-dewald-brevis-latest-to-miss-ipl-2026-with-injury-report-ms-dhoni-calf-strain-csk-injury-list-1774795384443">Injury crises hit CSK camp as Brevis to miss IPL 2026 with injury – Report</a>Fakhar Zaman, who was charged with the offense, has denied the charges in the hearing held right after the match, reported BBC. A detailed hearing is scheduled for Monday (Mar 30).Speaking on the matter after the match, Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said: "I don't know about this. We will see if it is that in the camera. We will discuss."Notably, Afridi and his Qalandars teammate Sikandar Raza are themselves facing a blames of 'forcefully escorting' visitors into their hotel room despite being denied the permission, as reported by ESPNCricinfo.

Fakhar Zaman, who was charged with the offense of changing the condition of the ball, has denied the charges in the hearing held right after the match. A detailed hearing is scheduled for Monday (Mar 30).

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) saw an embarrassing incident on Sunday (Mar 29) when a ball tampering scandal broke out in last over during Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings in Lahore. The umpires handed a five-run penalty to bowling team, Lahore Qalandars, and charged Pakistan international Fakhar Zaman with offense of changing the condition of the ball. Needing 14 runs in the last over to win, Karachi Kings received the boost before the last over and eventually had to score just nine runs while chasing 129. Despite losing a wicket on the first ball of the last over, Kings kept the calm as Abbas Afridi hit a four and a six on the next two balls to see his team through by four wickets. What is PSL ball tampering drama and who was involved in it? The ball tamering refers to changing the condition of the ball and "it is an offence for any player to take any action which changes the condition of the ball," as per law 41.3.2 of the International Cricket Council. According to the PSL rules, umpires are expected to refer the matter to the match referee whom, in turn, takes "action as is considered appropriate against the players concerned." Also Read - Injury crises hit CSK camp as Brevis to miss IPL 2026 with injury – Report Fakhar Zaman, who was charged with the offense, has denied the charges in the hearing held right after the match, reported BBC. A detailed hearing is scheduled for Monday (Mar 30). Speaking on the matter after the match, Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said: "I don't know about this. We will see if it is that in the camera. We will discuss." Notably, Afridi and his Qalandars teammate Sikandar Raza are themselves facing a blames of 'forcefully escorting' visitors into their hotel room despite being denied the permission, as reported by ESPNCricinfo.

Fakhar Zaman, who was charged with the offense of changing the condition of the ball, has denied the charges in the hearing held right after the match. A detailed hearing is scheduled for Monday (Mar 30).

PSL 2026: Pak's Fakhar Zaman charged with ball-tampering in Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings

Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal strongly criticised the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after a strange incident during the opening match of the 2026 season between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium sparked controversy. During the match, the white ball unexpectedly turned pink after dye from Hyderabad’s jerseys rubbed off on it. The incident soon gained attention on social media, with many dubbing it a “pink-ball game.” Akmal also mocked the situation, joking that the team’s kits looked cheaply dyed as the colour came off so easily.&nbsp;“I genuinely thought Hyderabad Kingsmen got their kits dyed at some dupatta lane back home, the kind where they recolor white clothes for bargain rates,” said Kamran Akmal.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/iran-bans-sports-teams-from-visiting-hostile-countries-amid-west-asia-crisis-1774591004794">Iran bans sports teams from visiting 'hostile' countries amid West Asia crisis</a><h3>Watch</h3>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🚨 FORMER PAKISTAN CRICKETER TAKES A BRUTAL DIG AT PSL OVER PINK BALL SAGA &quot;I genuinely thought Hyderabad Kingsmen got their kits dyed at some dupatta lane back home, the kind where they recolor white clothes for bargain rates.&quot; 🤣😭🤣 ~Kamran Akmal <a href="https://t.co/7IIkbCXVEV">pic.twitter.com/7IIkbCXVEV</a>&mdash; Brutal Truth (@sarkarstix) <a href="https://twitter.com/sarkarstix/status/2037376255440687413?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In cricket, players usually polish the ball on their shirts or towels to maintain shine and help with swing, however, this case raised concerns about the quality of the jerseys, with critics calling it an embarrassing moment for the league.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-irfan-pathan-makes-big-csk-claim-says-ms-dhoni-would-want-to-pass-the-baton-to-1774605471416">IPL 2026: Irfan Pathan makes big CSK claim, says 'MS Dhoni would want to...'</a>&nbsp;Hyderabad Kingsmen's captain Marnus Labuschagne also spoke about the incident in the post match conference, noting that he had never seen anything like this before. He mentioned that he noticed the ball changing colour early in the match and even asked the umpires about it. While marks sometimes come from bats or pads, he said it was unusual for clothing to cause this.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I did say to the umpires after the second over, 'What's going on? The ball is red.' It must be from the clothes or something like that. I haven't seen anything like this before, I've seen occasions where something on a bat comes onto the ball, or when it hits the pad and takes a bit of paint off. But I've never seen this happen with clothing. I'm sure they'll sort it out in the next few games,” Labuschagne told reporters.

Former Pakistan batter Kamran Akmal has criticised the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) amid the ‘pink ball’ controversy.

Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal strongly criticised the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after a strange incident during the opening match of the 2026 season between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium sparked controversy. During the match, the white ball unexpectedly turned pink after dye from Hyderabad’s jerseys rubbed off on it. The incident soon gained attention on social media, with many dubbing it a “pink-ball game.” Akmal also mocked the situation, joking that the team’s kits looked cheaply dyed as the colour came off so easily. “I genuinely thought Hyderabad Kingsmen got their kits dyed at some dupatta lane back home, the kind where they recolor white clothes for bargain rates,” said Kamran Akmal. Also Read - Iran bans sports teams from visiting 'hostile' countries amid West Asia crisis Watch

Former Pakistan batter Kamran Akmal has criticised the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) amid the ‘pink ball’ controversy.

‘Got their kits dyed at some dupatta lane’: Kamran Akmal slams PSL over jersey colour fiasco

Uncertainty still surrounds the upcoming 2026 season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) following new threats concerning foreign players participating in the tournament. According to media reports, several cricket boards have been warned by a Pakistan-based armed group against sending their players for PSL 2026. Top overseas stars such as David Warner and Steve Smith are among those expected to feature in the league. Reports also suggest that a senior commander from the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) faction, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, warned cricket boards not to send players to Pakistan, stating they would not take responsibility if anything happens.&nbsp;“We want to advise the relevant cricket boards not to send their players to Pakistan. If something happens to them, it will not be our responsibility. We have already warned them," The Sunday Guardian quoted a senior commander of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) faction Jamaat-ul-Ahrar as saying.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/dont-think-he-will-ever-get-professional-vaibhav-suryavanshi-receives-harsh-criticism-ahead-of-ipl-2026-jitesh-sharma-rajasthan-royals-ab-de-villiers-1774263965597">‘I don’t think he will ever get professional’: Vaibhav Suryavanshi receives harsh criticism ahead of IPL 2026</a>&nbsp;The commander reportedly also confirmed that the warning is real and said they would try to stop matches from happening.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Yes, we will do our best to ensure that the matches do not happen and the players do not play," he added.&nbsp;David Warner is set to captain Karachi Kings, while Smith is expected to make his PSL debut with Multan Sultans and he has already left for Pakistan. Other international stars, including Marnus Labuschagne, Moeen Ali, Devon Conway and Adam Zampa, are also part of PSL 2026.&nbsp;The tournament is scheduled to begin on Mar 26, with 44 matches planned in Lahore and Karachi, however, the opening ceremony has been cancelled.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/former-indian-captain-ms-dhoni-honours-t20-world-cup-winners-sanju-samson-shivam-dube-at-csk-event-1774253159771">Former Indian captain MS Dhoni honours T20 WC winners Samson, Dube at CSK event</a>&nbsp;Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that crowds will not be allowed in stadiums during this period, as gathering large numbers of people would not be safe while the situation remains tense. The decision comes due to the fuel crisis caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.&nbsp;“We can’t ask people to restrict their movements and then have 30,000 people in stadiums every day," Naqvi said on Sunday. “We decided that as long as this crisis is ongoing, we will not have crowds at matches. This was a difficult decision, but it needed to be made. The opening ceremony will also be cancelled."

The PSL 2026 is scheduled to begin on March 26, with 44 matches planned in Lahore and Karachi; however, the opening ceremony has been cancelled.

Uncertainty still surrounds the upcoming 2026 season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) following new threats concerning foreign players participating in the tournament. According to media reports, several cricket boards have been warned by a Pakistan-based armed group against sending their players for PSL 2026. Top overseas stars such as David Warner and Steve Smith are among those expected to feature in the league. Reports also suggest that a senior commander from the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) faction, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, warned cricket boards not to send players to Pakistan, stating they would not take responsibility if anything happens. “We want to advise the relevant cricket boards not to send their players to Pakistan. If something happens to them, it will not be our responsibility. We have already warned them," The Sunday Guardian quoted a senior commander of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) faction Jamaat-ul-Ahrar as saying. Also Read - ‘I don’t think he will ever get professional’: Vaibhav Suryavanshi receives harsh criticism ahead of IPL 2026 The commander reportedly also confirmed that the warning is real and said they would try to stop matches from happening. “Yes, we will do our best to ensure that the matches do not happen and the players do not play," he added. David Warner is set to captain Karachi Kings, while Smith is expected to make his PSL debut with Multan Sultans and he has already left for Pakistan. Other international stars, including Marnus Labuschagne, Moeen Ali, Devon Conway and Adam Zampa, are also part of PSL 2026. The tournament is scheduled to begin on Mar 26, with 44 matches planned in Lahore and Karachi, however, the opening ceremony has been cancelled. Also Read - Former Indian captain MS Dhoni honours T20 WC winners Samson, Dube at CSK event Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that crowds will not be allowed in stadiums during this period, as gathering large numbers of people would not be safe while the situation remains tense. The decision comes due to the fuel crisis caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. “We can’t ask people to restrict their movements and then have 30,000 people in stadiums every day," Naqvi said on Sunday. “We decided that as long as this crisis is ongoing, we will not have crowds at matches. This was a difficult decision, but it needed to be made. The opening ceremony will also be cancelled."

The PSL 2026 is scheduled to begin on March 26, with 44 matches planned in Lahore and Karachi; however, the opening ceremony has been cancelled.

Warner, Smith urged to ‘withdraw immediately’ from PSL 2026 after threat from armed group

Pakistan’s premier T20 franchise league, Pakistan Super League (PSL) is all set to be played behind closed doors as tensions in West Asia are yet to cool down. After the United States and Israel’s attack on Iran and then a retaliatory attack from Iran, civil unrest has been seen in the Gulf region. As a result, tension in the West Asia region is at an all-time high with attacks on US air bases in Qatar, Bahrain and other surrounding regions. To take a safe stand, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will host this year’s PSL in two cities – Lahore and Karachi, with matches being played behind closed doors.<h2>PSL behind close doors</h2>Pakistan depends on oil and gas from the Gulf and the government has, in recent weeks, introduced a series of fuel-saving measures over fears of a drop in supply. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the decisions on the PSL were taken after consultation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a>&nbsp;"The prime minister has requested restricted movements of people because of the fuel crisis so we have decided that the PSL would continue as per the original schedule but without crowds," Naqvi told a press conference in Lahore.&nbsp;To stop fans travelling, the eight-team league has also been reduced to two venues, and not the original six, meaning Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Multan and Peshawar miss out.&nbsp;"All PSL matches will now take place in Lahore and Karachi and we hope the league could be held with crowds but that would be contingent on the crisis in Iran ending," said Naqvi, who is also Pakistan's interior minister.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a>&nbsp;The PSL began in 2016 on neutral grounds in the United Arab Emirates due to safety fears in Pakistan.&nbsp;"I feel for the Peshawar crowds who were due to watch a match for the first time," said Naqvi.&nbsp;Naqvi said the PCB would compensate the franchise owners for the loss of revenue because of no crowds. The majority of gate money goes to the franchises. The 11th edition of PSL will run until May 3.

Pakistan depends on oil and gas from the Gulf and the government has, in recent weeks, introduced a series of fuel-saving measures over fears of a drop in supply. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the decisions on the PSL were taken after consultation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Pakistan’s premier T20 franchise league, Pakistan Super League (PSL) is all set to be played behind closed doors as tensions in West Asia are yet to cool down. After the United States and Israel’s attack on Iran and then a retaliatory attack from Iran, civil unrest has been seen in the Gulf region. As a result, tension in the West Asia region is at an all-time high with attacks on US air bases in Qatar, Bahrain and other surrounding regions. To take a safe stand, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will host this year’s PSL in two cities – Lahore and Karachi, with matches being played behind closed doors. PSL behind close doors Pakistan depends on oil and gas from the Gulf and the government has, in recent weeks, introduced a series of fuel-saving measures over fears of a drop in supply. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the decisions on the PSL were taken after consultation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds "The prime minister has requested restricted movements of people because of the fuel crisis so we have decided that the PSL would continue as per the original schedule but without crowds," Naqvi told a press conference in Lahore. To stop fans travelling, the eight-team league has also been reduced to two venues, and not the original six, meaning Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Multan and Peshawar miss out. "All PSL matches will now take place in Lahore and Karachi and we hope the league could be held with crowds but that would be contingent on the crisis in Iran ending," said Naqvi, who is also Pakistan's interior minister. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli The PSL began in 2016 on neutral grounds in the United Arab Emirates due to safety fears in Pakistan. "I feel for the Peshawar crowds who were due to watch a match for the first time," said Naqvi. Naqvi said the PCB would compensate the franchise owners for the loss of revenue because of no crowds. The majority of gate money goes to the franchises. The 11th edition of PSL will run until May 3.

Pakistan depends on oil and gas from the Gulf and the government has, in recent weeks, introduced a series of fuel-saving measures over fears of a drop in supply. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the decisions on the PSL were taken after consultation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Pakistan's PSL to be held behind closed doors, Lahore and Karachi to host matches amid West Asia unrest

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who was in headlines in January, after being left out by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to join Lahore Qalandars for the upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Rahman, who was picked for IPL 2026 by KKR, was released by the franchise after a request from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). However, the player will now begin a new stint and represent the Lahore Qalandars for the upcoming season.<h2>Rahman joins Qalandars</h2>"Once a Qalandar, always a Qalandar. Mustafizur is not just a player; he's a brother, a key part of our family who never left," Sameen Rana, the Qalandars owner, said. “We are thrilled to welcome him back to our dressing room. His talent, experience, and dedication will be invaluable as we aim to defend our title and make a statement in PSL 11.”&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a>&nbsp;In the first week, the BCCI asked KKR to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad ahead of the IPL 2026 season. Rahman, bought by KKR during the December auctions in Abu Dhabi, had become a topic of debate after Indian political leaders showed discontent over the inclusion of Bangladeshi players. This came after violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh became a serious topic.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a>&nbsp;During the IPL 2026 auctions in Abu Dhabi, KKR bought Rahman for Rs 9.2 crore, one of the highest during the auctions for a foreign player. However, with communal violence against Hindus in Bangladesh at its peak, BJP leaders have urged a boycott of Bangladeshi commodities and stars. Part of that boycott is Rahman’s inclusion in the KKR side for IPL 2026.&nbsp;At PSL, he is the second direct signing of the season after Sialkot Stallionz's Steven Smith. Each team can sign one player outside the auction, which will be held on February 11.

Mustafizur Rahman, who was picked for IPL 2026 by KKR, was released by the franchise after a request from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). 

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who was in headlines in January, after being left out by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to join Lahore Qalandars for the upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Rahman, who was picked for IPL 2026 by KKR, was released by the franchise after a request from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). However, the player will now begin a new stint and represent the Lahore Qalandars for the upcoming season. Rahman joins Qalandars "Once a Qalandar, always a Qalandar. Mustafizur is not just a player; he's a brother, a key part of our family who never left," Sameen Rana, the Qalandars owner, said. “We are thrilled to welcome him back to our dressing room. His talent, experience, and dedication will be invaluable as we aim to defend our title and make a statement in PSL 11.” ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds In the first week, the BCCI asked KKR to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad ahead of the IPL 2026 season. Rahman, bought by KKR during the December auctions in Abu Dhabi, had become a topic of debate after Indian political leaders showed discontent over the inclusion of Bangladeshi players. This came after violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh became a serious topic. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli During the IPL 2026 auctions in Abu Dhabi, KKR bought Rahman for Rs 9.2 crore, one of the highest during the auctions for a foreign player. However, with communal violence against Hindus in Bangladesh at its peak, BJP leaders have urged a boycott of Bangladeshi commodities and stars. Part of that boycott is Rahman’s inclusion in the KKR side for IPL 2026. At PSL, he is the second direct signing of the season after Sialkot Stallionz's Steven Smith. Each team can sign one player outside the auction, which will be held on February 11.

Mustafizur Rahman, who was picked for IPL 2026 by KKR, was released by the franchise after a request from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).&nbsp;

Mustafizur Rahman, embroiled in IPL controversy, joins Lahore Qalandars ahead of PSL 2026

Since missing out on being picked in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad in India and Sri Lanka, and reflecting on his T20I future by mentioning ‘that ship has sailed’, Test veteran Steve Smith is picked as the marquee signing by Sialkot Stallionz in PSL 2026. Sialkot is one of the two new franchises making their debut in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Smith, who hasn’t represented Australia in T20Is in two years, will make his debut in this league, joining forces with former Test captain and teammate Tim Paine, who is Sialkot’s coach for its first season.&nbsp;Since competing in the home Ashes this winter, where he captained Australia to a 4-1 victory, Smith peaked with the bat in the recently concluded Big Bash League season 15.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ricky-ponting-snubs-australia-names-india-as-his-t20-world-cup-2026-winner-1770122762291">"They’ll be hard to beat": Ricky Ponting snubs Australia, names his T20 World Cup 2026 winner</a> &nbsp;Playing for Sydney Sixers, Smith scored 299 runs at an average of 60 and a strike rate of 167.97, leading his team to another BBL final, where they fell shy to the six-time winner, Perth Scorchers. Opening the batting with PSL and Pakistan star Babar Azam, the 36-year-old slammed a hundred and twin fifties, while Babar endured his poor maiden BBL. &nbsp;Taking to his social media handle (X), Paine welcomed Steve Smith to Sialkot Stallionz. &nbsp;"One of the all-time great players is a PSL Stallionz!", Paine posted on X. "Huge for our franchise and the PSL T20."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">One of the all time great players is a <a href="https://twitter.com/PSLStallionz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PSLStallionz</a> !!! Huge for our franchise and the <a href="https://twitter.com/thePSLt20?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thePSLt20</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/newera?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#newera</a> <a href="https://t.co/ynUj33aikh">https://t.co/ynUj33aikh</a>&mdash; Tim Paine (@tdpaine36) <a href="https://twitter.com/tdpaine36/status/2018618764385047001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The PSL 2026 starts on March 26 with the final on May 3.&nbsp;<h3>No Smith in Australia’s T20 WC squad –</h3>Smith was never a first-choice for the Australian selectors for the T20 World Cup, given that they always have their hands full for the top three.&nbsp;However, even after they made last-minute changes to the final 15 by dropping Matthew Short for Matt Renshaw, the selectors cleared their intentions about Smith’s T20I future. &nbsp;The batting mega star, however, has vowed to stick around and realise his dream of competing at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

Smith hasn't represented Australia in the men's T20Is in two years, while also making his PSL debut this season.

Since missing out on being picked in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad in India and Sri Lanka, and reflecting on his T20I future by mentioning ‘that ship has sailed’, Test veteran Steve Smith is picked as the marquee signing by Sialkot Stallionz in PSL 2026. Sialkot is one of the two new franchises making their debut in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Smith, who hasn’t represented Australia in T20Is in two years, will make his debut in this league, joining forces with former Test captain and teammate Tim Paine, who is Sialkot’s coach for its first season. Since competing in the home Ashes this winter, where he captained Australia to a 4-1 victory, Smith peaked with the bat in the recently concluded Big Bash League season 15. Also read | "They’ll be hard to beat": Ricky Ponting snubs Australia, names his T20 World Cup 2026 winner Playing for Sydney Sixers, Smith scored 299 runs at an average of 60 and a strike rate of 167.97, leading his team to another BBL final, where they fell shy to the six-time winner, Perth Scorchers. Opening the batting with PSL and Pakistan star Babar Azam, the 36-year-old slammed a hundred and twin fifties, while Babar endured his poor maiden BBL. Taking to his social media handle (X), Paine welcomed Steve Smith to Sialkot Stallionz. "One of the all-time great players is a PSL Stallionz!", Paine posted on X. "Huge for our franchise and the PSL T20."

Smith hasn't represented Australia in the men's T20Is in two years, while also making his PSL debut this season.

Steve Smith joins Sialkot Stallionz as marquee signing for PSL 2026

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has expanded to eight teams after addition of Hyderabad and Sialkot as the two new franchises on Thursday (Jan 8). The new teams will take part in the PSL 2026. Former Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen was also expected to bid for one of the team but pulled out at the last minute. The two franchise were sold for a combined total of US $ 12.75 million (INR 115 crore approx) - less than the money spent to buy top 9 players at the recently concluded IPL 2026 auction.<h2>Two new PSL franchises sold for less top 9 IPL 2026 buys</h2>The two new PSL franchises, Hyderabad and Sialkot, were sold for US $6.2 million (Pakistan Rupees 175 crore) and US $6.55 million (Pakistan Rupees 185 crore), respectively. The price of two franchise in Indian Rupees stand at 55.57 crore for Hyderabad and 58.38 crore for Sialkot. For comparison, below are the price tags of top 9 players sold at the IPL 2026 auction:Cameron Green: ₹25.20 crore (KKR) Matheesha Pathirana: ₹18.00 crore (KKR) Prashant Veer: ₹14.20 crore (CSK) Kartik Sharma: ₹14.20 crore (CSK) Liam Livingstone: ₹13.00 crore (SRH) Mustafizur Rahman: ₹9.20 crore (KKR) Josh Inglis: ₹8.60 crore (LSG) Shahrukh Khan: ₹8.00 crore (MI) Riyan Parag: ₹7.80 crore (RR)The price of top 9 players in IPL 2026 auction was INR 118.2 crore - nearly INR 3 crore more than the price of two new PSL franchises.<h2>Who owns the two new PSL franchises?</h2>OZ Developers own the Sialkot franchise after successfully winning the bid while FSK developers are the owners of Hyderabad franchise in PSL.<h2>What is drama around Ali Tareen?</h2>Multan Sultan' former owner Ali Tareen had a fallout with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and no longer owns a franchise in PSL. He was expected to bid for one of the two new franchises but pulled out at the last moment with a post on X which read: :If I come back to PSL, it has to be for the same reason. South Punjab is where my heart is. It is home. When the Multan team is being sold, we'll be ready. Wishing all the bidders the best."

The two PSL franchise, Hyderabad and Sialkot, were sold for a combined total of US $ 12.75 million (INR 115 crore approx) - less than the money spent to buy top 9 players at the recently concluded IPL 2026 auction - INR 118 crore.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has expanded to eight teams after addition of Hyderabad and Sialkot as the two new franchises on Thursday (Jan 8). The new teams will take part in the PSL 2026. Former Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen was also expected to bid for one of the team but pulled out at the last minute. The two franchise were sold for a combined total of US $ 12.75 million (INR 115 crore approx) - less than the money spent to buy top 9 players at the recently concluded IPL 2026 auction. Two new PSL franchises sold for less top 9 IPL 2026 buys The two new PSL franchises, Hyderabad and Sialkot, were sold for US $6.2 million (Pakistan Rupees 175 crore) and US $6.55 million (Pakistan Rupees 185 crore), respectively. The price of two franchise in Indian Rupees stand at 55.57 crore for Hyderabad and 58.38 crore for Sialkot. For comparison, below are the price tags of top 9 players sold at the IPL 2026 auction: Cameron Green: ₹25.20 crore (KKR) Matheesha Pathirana: ₹18.00 crore (KKR) Prashant Veer: ₹14.20 crore (CSK) Kartik Sharma: ₹14.20 crore (CSK) Liam Livingstone: ₹13.00 crore (SRH) Mustafizur Rahman: ₹9.20 crore (KKR) Josh Inglis: ₹8.60 crore (LSG) Shahrukh Khan: ₹8.00 crore (MI) Riyan Parag: ₹7.80 crore (RR) The price of top 9 players in IPL 2026 auction was INR 118.2 crore - nearly INR 3 crore more than the price of two new PSL franchises. Who owns the two new PSL franchises? OZ Developers own the Sialkot franchise after successfully winning the bid while FSK developers are the owners of Hyderabad franchise in PSL. What is drama around Ali Tareen? Multan Sultan' former owner Ali Tareen had a fallout with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and no longer owns a franchise in PSL. He was expected to bid for one of the two new franchises but pulled out at the last moment with a post on X which read: :If I come back to PSL, it has to be for the same reason. South Punjab is where my heart is. It is home. When the Multan team is being sold, we'll be ready. Wishing all the bidders the best."

The two PSL franchise, Hyderabad and Sialkot, were sold for a combined total of US $ 12.75 million (INR 115 crore approx) - less than the money spent to buy top 9 players at the recently concluded IPL 2026 auction - INR 118 crore.

PSL Expansion: New Hyderabad & Sialkot teams cost less than IPL 2026’s top 9 players combined

For the second consecutive year, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will clash with the Indian Premier League (IPL), as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the March-May window for the 11th season. While IPL’s 19th season gets underway on March 22 and concludes more than two months later on May 26 next year, PSL 2026 will take place from March 26 to May 3, 2026.&nbsp;Naqvi confirmed this development during a PSL road show in New York, USA, on Sunday (Dec 14), acknowledging that the scheduling clash would require adjustments to Pakistan’s international cricket calendar, with the national team’s schedule set to be reworked.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/under-19-asia-cup-india-crush-pakistan-by-90-runs-in-a-rain-affected-match-1765720070849">Under-19 Asia Cup: India crush Pakistan by 90 runs in a rain-affected match</a> &nbsp;“Any international commitments of the Pakistan team during this window will be readjusted,” Naqvi said on the sidelines, referring to Pakistan’s proposed tour of Bangladesh, scheduled for the March-April window next year, including two World Test Championship (WTC) Tests, three ODIs and as many T20Is. &nbsp;Historically hosted during the February-March window over the years, the PCB hosted PSL during the IPL window the previous season, mainly due to Pakistan hosting the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy event, which concluded in the first week of March. Though that window suited everyone, including those registered to represent different teams across both leagues, considering the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup runs from February to March, the PCB agreed to reschedule PSL's date this time.&nbsp; &nbsp;Naqvi also confirmed that the auction for the two new PSL teams will take place on January 8, indicating the league’s expansion amid scheduling scrutiny.<h3>IPL 2026 auction on December 16 &nbsp;</h3>The IPL 2026 mini-auction will get underway in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday (Dec 16), with ten participating teams aiming to fill the remaining 77 slots combined. While most teams have retained their core heading into the 19th edition, a few have left space open to bring in new faces, strengthening their chances of fighting for the coveted IPL crown. &nbsp;Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi are the two Indian players with the maximum base price of INR 2 crore and expected to go for huge money. On the other hand, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green could set the auction on fire, with his bid expected to surpass Rishabh Pant’s (INR 27 crore), with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), with the biggest purse, likely to attain his services.

PSL 2026 colliding with IPL 2026 could hamper its viewership, considering IPL's reach and engagement among the most followed T20 cricket leagues worldwide.

For the second consecutive year, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will clash with the Indian Premier League (IPL), as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the March-May window for the 11th season. While IPL’s 19th season gets underway on March 22 and concludes more than two months later on May 26 next year, PSL 2026 will take place from March 26 to May 3, 2026. Naqvi confirmed this development during a PSL road show in New York, USA, on Sunday (Dec 14), acknowledging that the scheduling clash would require adjustments to Pakistan’s international cricket calendar, with the national team’s schedule set to be reworked. Also read | Under-19 Asia Cup: India crush Pakistan by 90 runs in a rain-affected match “Any international commitments of the Pakistan team during this window will be readjusted,” Naqvi said on the sidelines, referring to Pakistan’s proposed tour of Bangladesh, scheduled for the March-April window next year, including two World Test Championship (WTC) Tests, three ODIs and as many T20Is. Historically hosted during the February-March window over the years, the PCB hosted PSL during the IPL window the previous season, mainly due to Pakistan hosting the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy event, which concluded in the first week of March. Though that window suited everyone, including those registered to represent different teams across both leagues, considering the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup runs from February to March, the PCB agreed to reschedule PSL's date this time. Naqvi also confirmed that the auction for the two new PSL teams will take place on January 8, indicating the league’s expansion amid scheduling scrutiny. IPL 2026 auction on December 16 The IPL 2026 mini-auction will get underway in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday (Dec 16), with ten participating teams aiming to fill the remaining 77 slots combined. While most teams have retained their core heading into the 19th edition, a few have left space open to bring in new faces, strengthening their chances of fighting for the coveted IPL crown. Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi are the two Indian players with the maximum base price of INR 2 crore and expected to go for huge money. On the other hand, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green could set the auction on fire, with his bid expected to surpass Rishabh Pant’s (INR 27 crore), with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), with the biggest purse, likely to attain his services.

PSL 2026 colliding with IPL 2026 could hamper its viewership, considering IPL's reach and engagement among the most followed T20 cricket leagues worldwide.

PSL 2026 clashes with IPL next year as PCB chair Naqvi confirms March-May window

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‘Got their kits dyed at...’: Kamran Akmal slams PSL over jersey colour fiasco

Warner, Smith urged to ‘withdraw immediately’ from PSL 2026 after threat

PSL to be held behind closed doors, Lahore and Karachi to host matches

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman joins Lahore Qalandars ahead of PSL 2026

Steve Smith joins Sialkot Stallionz as marquee signing for PSL 2026

PSL Expansion: Two new teams cost less than IPL 2026’s top 9 players combined

PSL 2026 clashes with IPL next year as PCB chair Naqvi confirms March-May window