IPL Poaches Three More International Stars From PSL Days Before Season Opener

In a devastating blow to the Pakistan Super League just two days before its season opener, the Indian Premier League has once again poached international cricket stars from PSL rosters. The most humiliating part? For some, the financial incentive is substantial, while for others, the pull of IPL's brand and global visibility outweighs even higher PSL contracts.

Three Players, Three Broken Contracts, Three Franchises in Crisis

Dasun Shanaka and Blessing Muzarabani have already foregone PSL 2026 contracts to take up deals in IPL 2026. And now, Spencer Johnson is the latest player to indicate that he will pull out of PSL 11 and instead take part in IPL 2026.

Three players. Three broken contracts. Three PSL franchises left scrambling for last-minute replacements. And a Pakistan Cricket Board that is furious but seemingly powerless to stop the bleeding.

The Complete List: Players Who Left PSL for IPL 2026

These are only the confirmed switches. More players may still be approached by IPL franchises as injury replacements during the season.

Player-by-Player Breakdown: The Full Story Behind Each Switch

Blessing Muzarabani: The Most Dramatic Switch of All

This is the most talked-about defection of them all. Muzarabani had registered at a base price of INR 75 lakh for the IPL 2026 auction but did not find any buyers. A man who would go on to be named in the ICC T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament went completely unsold.

After being ignored at the IPL auction in December 2025, he signed with Islamabad United in the PSL as a direct signing. Then came the T20 World Cup. Muzarabani had an outstanding tournament, where Zimbabwe topped their group and reached the Super Eight. He ended up just one wicket shy of jointly topping the charts, taking 13 wickets in six matches, including four in a crushing win over Australia.

KKR came calling after they were instructed by the BCCI to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman. Muzarabani informed Islamabad United of his decision to withdraw, as KKR confirmed the signing. The financial gap tells the story: his PSL contract was worth PKR 1.10 Crore (approximately $36,000), while his IPL deal is worth INR 75 Lakh (approximately $80,000) — more than double.

Dasun Shanaka: From Lahore Qalandars to Rajasthan Royals

Shanaka went unsold in the IPL 2026 auction and had then decided to sign up for the PSL auction. He was picked by Lahore Qalandars for PKR 75 lakh. But then Sam Curran got injured. Rajasthan Royals signed Shanaka as a replacement for Curran for IPL 2026. The Sri Lankan all-rounder withdrew from PSL and was named Curran's replacement, marking the departure of yet another player from PSL in favour of the IPL.

Spencer Johnson: The Latest and Most Controversial Switch

This is the freshest blow to PSL, confirmed just hours ago. Chennai Super Kings have officially signed Australian fast bowler Spencer Johnson as a replacement for fellow countryman Nathan Ellis. The left-arm pacer has been signed for INR 1.5 crore. Originally, Johnson was set to play in the PSL, having been purchased by Quetta Gladiators for PKR 5.6 crore. However, he pulled out of the competition, citing personal reasons. But those reasons quickly became clear when CSK announced his signing the very next day.

Johnson's PSL contract was worth approximately $185,000, while his IPL deal is worth approximately $160,000. He actually took a technically lower base salary but chose the IPL brand, visibility, and long-term career benefits over PSL's money.

PCB's Response: Threats of Legal Action But Limited Power

The PCB is furious about these defections, but their options are limited. The board reportedly threatened legal action against Muzarabani for breaching his PSL contract with Islamabad United. According to the PSL contract, he was obligated to honour his agreement, and skipping the league in favour of the IPL could be considered a breach, potentially leading to fines, bans, or other disciplinary measures.

But there is a reality check here. The PCB can ban a player from the PSL, but they cannot stop them from playing in the IPL. For most international cricketers, the choice between a potential PSL ban and an IPL contract is no choice at all.

The Domino Effect: Other Players Who Also Left PSL 2026

The Muzarabani, Shanaka, and Johnson switches are the headline stories, but a much larger wave of withdrawals has hit PSL 2026. Harry Brook, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Faf du Plessis, David Wiese, Tymal Mills, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Mohammad Nabi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gudakesh Motie, Ottniel Baartman, Johnson Charles, and all Afghan cricketers have opted out of PSL 2026.

This is a staggering list of withdrawals for a league that starts in two days.

PSL 2026 Already in Crisis Mode

The player exodus comes at the worst possible time. Initially the tournament was scheduled to be held across six cities, but due to the economic impact of the 2026 Iran war, the Government of Pakistan and PCB announced on March 22 that the tournament would be played in only two cities, Lahore and Karachi, temporarily behind closed doors to reduce movement and save fuel. The opening ceremony was also cancelled.

Why the Scheduling Overlap Is Destroying PSL

The root cause of this entire problem is one thing: the PSL and IPL are running at the same time. Traditionally, the PSL is held from January to March, allowing it to conclude before the IPL begins. However, over the last two years, scheduling conflicts with the IPL have raised concerns for the PCB, as PSL players have been tempted to leave if injury replacements or other openings arise in the IPL.

The T20 World Cup held in February and March pushed the PSL schedule back. Now, with the PSL running from March 26 to May 3 and the IPL starting March 28, the overlap is complete. Multiple IPL franchises facing fast-bowling injuries are prioritizing ready-to-play overseas replacements, making PSL players the most accessible talent pool due to overlapping tournament windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

The story of IPL stealing PSL players is not just about cricket. It is about economics, power, and the harsh realities of global sports business. From a business standpoint, the IPL now operates in a completely different financial universe.

For PSL, the message is painfully clear: as long as the two leagues run concurrently, international players will always have one eye on the IPL door. And when that door opens, even at a lower price than their PSL contract, they will walk through it every single time.

The PCB must find a long-term structural solution. Higher salaries alone will not work. Better scheduling, stronger contracts, and unique value propositions are the only way PSL can protect itself from becoming IPL's unofficial talent pipeline. Until then, expect more headlines like this one. The IPL machine does not stop for anyone.