Big Blow To PSL As Top International Players Unlikely To Participate: Reports

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is expected to clash with the IPL 2025 as per multiple reports. In the process, the tournament might see big-match players pull out from the tournament as they are likely to participate in the IPL.

According to news agency PTI, the PCB has indicated that the PSL might be held from April 10 to May 25 in 2025, directly overlapping with the IPL, which was conducted from March 22 to May 26 in 2024. Meanwhile, as per reports, the IPL will be played from 14 March 2025, with the final scheduled for 25 May 2025.

Names like David Warner, Adil Rashid, Chris Woakes, and Mustafizur Rahman will be included in the Platinum category at the players' draft on January 13, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Tuesday.

PSL Set For A Clash With IPL

Australia's Matthew Short, Riley Meredith, and Steve Smith (subject to confirmation) are among the other players in the Platinum category, which is the highest. There are also players from England and New Zealand.

Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson, Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Tom Curran, and Tom Kohler-Cadmore are from England. Finn Allen of New Zealand, Mark Chapman, are the Kiwi players expected to participate.

Players like Chris Lynn, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Kusal Mendis, David Willey, Usman Khawaja, Zak Crawley, Jason Roy, Michael Bracewell, and Alex Hales. A few international players, including Australia's Alex Carey, have placed in the Diamond and Gold categories.

Meanwhile, as per a report by the PTI, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson have already withdrawn from the tournament due to prior commitments. Both have had a busy international schedule recently as they played Test matches. Steve Smith played in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar series while Kane Williamson played for New Zealand in the recent Test series against England.

Traditionally, the PSL is staged in February and March. However, with Pakistan hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 followed by a series against West Indies. The rescheduling was necessary keeping in mind that the league does not clash with these major international commitments, making the overlap with the IPL unavoidable. Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi are likely to host the PSL 2025 matches.

This change is expected to have significant implications for players, fans, and broadcasters, as the PSL and IPL are two of the most participated T20 leagues globally, and their concurrent schedules could divide viewership and sponsorship interests.