Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) ninth edition is underway with six teams competing for the prestigious silverware that schedules from February 17 to March 18, 2024. While, it is often studded with stars from around the world showcasing their prodigy, this time it has taken a hit with several players opting out of the tournament due to various reasons.
While some players are nursing injuries, some have been denied their NOC by their respective boards due to workload management. With all the top leagues screwing in the first half of the year and the much-anticipated ICC T20 World Cup to take place in June, PSL is finding its relevance in between.
Let’s take a look at the teams who will be missing their key players who opted out of the PSL 2024 or were forced due to their injuries.
Islamabad United:
The Shadab Khan-led side will be missing some of their top buys from the auction whose impact would add to their prodigy. The top missing player is English all-rounder Tom Curran, who ruled due to sustaining an injury he suffered in the Big Bash League.
The 28-year-old all-rounder is a promising death bowler who hurls numerous variations in the last overs which can prove effective. His abilities with the bat also make him an exciting prospect to bet on. Other players they would not get services from are West Indian bowler Matthew Forde too who was denied permission by his board.
#PAGE_BREAK#
Lahore Qalandars:
The defending champions started their campaign with two consecutive losses and have also received regular jolts in the form of players opting out of the tournament. Their major missing will be Afghanistan’s leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who is a hot deal in the T20 leagues around the world. But this time, with Rashid still nursing his injury has opted out of the league to recover completely.
South African batter Rassie van der Dussen too will leave the team after the first half as the SA board has called him back to the nation. West Indies batter Shai Hope was replaced by Carlos Brathwaite and Dan Lawrence is still on his national duty.
#PAGE_BREAK#
Karachi Kings:
Shan Masood’s side will be most affected by the absence of the players as nearly eight players have opted out of the tournament. It includes a destructive bowling line-up consisting of Shamsi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Reece Topley, Lungi Ngidi, and Noor Ahmed.
While Naveen and Noor were denied permission to play by their boards owing to their recent controversial ban from ILT20, South African bowlers Ngidi and Shamsi have been called back owing to workload management. Reece Topley is also nursing his injury and has returned to his country.
#PAGE_BREAK#
Q uetta Gladiators:
Rilee Rossouw’s side will be missing two of the West Indian T20 prospects Akeal Hosein and Sherfane Rutherford, because their board has denied their NOC to play in the PSL 2024. The two all-rounders would have provided great stability to the team but it was not meant to be.
