Pakistan Super League‘s inaugural tournament was played in 2016, and since then, it has become one of the most successful and biggest cricket leagues in the world. Players from all over the world participate and showcase their skills. Since the 2017 edition of the league, Afghanistan players have been part of the PSL draft picked by different franchises in different seasons. In the 2017 edition of PSL, five Afghanistan players were included in the draft:
Rashid Khan was picked by Lahore Qalandars, and Mohammad Nabi was picked by Quetta Gladiators, who later moved to Karachi Kings. At the same time, Dawlat Zardan, Gulbadin Naib, and Naveen ul Haq were also part of the PSL second-season drafts. Afghanistan players have proved themselves as one of the finest cricketers in every league edition.
Deportation of Afghanis and its impact on cricket relations between both countries:
Despite having friendly cricket relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Pakistani government decided to send back all undocumented Afghans to Afghanistan. This process took some time, and thousands of undocumented residents were sent back to Afghanistan by December 2023. Due to security concerns, the Pakistani government announced the deportation of undocumented Afghans under the Foreign Act of 1946.
Also see: Pakistan Troubled Game: Politics and Pakistan Cricket
Rashid Khan’s Statement in World T20 Cup 2024:
During the recent ICC Men’s World T20 Cup, Afghanistan played their maiden T20 World Cup tournament and made it to the semifinals after beating Bangladesh in a thriller match. After their victory over Bangladesh in the World T20 Cup, news started circulating that Rashid Khan had dedicated their victory to the deported Afghans from Pakistan, indicating that cricket relations between the two countries could face trouble. However, evidence of this news being true was not found, and it was considered a rumour or false news.
Afghanistan players’ participation in PSL 2023:
The 9th edition of PSL was played this year, and Afghanistan players were part of that season too. They were in different categories and picked by various franchises.
Rashid Khan was picked by Lahore Qalandars, while Naveen-ul-Haq and Noor Ahmed were part of Peshawar Zalmi. Other players – Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Mohammad Nabi, and Fazalhaq Farooqi – were also part of the drafts this season.
Change in PSL schedule:
The 10th season of the PSL is expected to take place from April 10th to May 20, which means there can be a clash between both tournaments, the Indian Premier League and PSL, causing trouble in the availability of international players. This year, PCB has made a slight change in the schedule of PSL 2025 due to the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled in Pakistan.
The change in the PSL schedule can cause trouble in the availability of international players, and the deportation of Afghans by the Pakistani government slightly increases the chances of Afghanistan players skipping PSL this year and preferring IPL over it. If international players including big names of Afghanistan cricket like Rashid Khan prioritize IPL over PSL, Pakistan’s t20 tournament’s overall viewership and reputation can suffer.
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