Amidst the increasing tensions in the region, the forthcoming season of Pakistan Super League (PSL) in 2026 dealt with a huge wave of uncertainty regarding the participation of Bangladeshi cricketers.

Even though the situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan continues to worsen day by day, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed a training session for all PSL franchises.

As PSL 11 is set to commence on March 26, questions arise about Pakistan’s security measures. Recent Pakistani airstrikes on a hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, killed more than 400 people. This incident raises concerns among foreign players, who have reportedly withdrawn their names from the league.

BCB Waiting For Government Approval

Because of the current regional tensions, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) now awaits official approval from the government to allow the players to travel to Pakistan and participate in the PSL 11.

Despite being selected in the player auction, these six players were earlier granted conditional NOCs and are yet to receive full clearance: 

• Mustafizur Rahman
• Nahid Rana
• Rishad Hossain
• Parvez Hossain Emon
• Shoriful Islam
• Tanzid Hasan Tamim

Moreover, the PSL 11 schedule coincides with New Zealand’s white-ball tour of Afghanistan in April-May.

Also, the preparatory camps ahead of the series clash with the same window of Pakistan’s franchise T20 league.

This scheduling conflict offers BCB a valid reason to safeguard its players, citing international commitments as a safer priority than franchise cricket. 

Why does BCB Requires Government Clearance To Allow Its Players in PSL 11?

Nazmul Abedin, the cricket operations chairman of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, clarified that the board’s standard procedures have changed due to the current circumstances and the looming security concerns.

Under normal situations, there won’t be any extra checks. Players are granted clearance to travel, play, and return. Amidst the ongoing tensions, players’ safety is at risk, which forced the BCB to take a different path by discussing with the government rather than following the usual procedures.

Nazmul furthermore explained that the Bangladeshi government is well aware of the situation in Pakistan. As of now, the BCB finds it tough to analyze the situation and has halted the internal clearance process.

Based on the government’s instructions and the situation at the start of PSL, the BCB will permit its players to travel only if it is 100% safe in Pakistan.

What if the Bangladesh Government Deems the Travel Unsafe?

Suppose the Bangladesh government deems the travel unsafe, the planned schedule will lose its significance.

Most of the PSL franchises, particularly the Lahore Qalandars, that invested 6.44 crore (in Pakistani Rupees) on Mustafizur Rahman, are likely to face massive setbacks if the Bangladeshi cricketers do not board their flight to Pakistan.

Cricket Australia Plans To Avoid PSL 11

Meanwhile, the latest reports revealed that Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australian government have refrained from allowing their players to travel to Pakistan.

Specifically, the players’ travel to Peshawar has been strictly forbidden, where the solo PSL fixture between Peshawar Zalmi and Rawalpindiz is scheduled on March 28 (Saturday). This is a preventive measure taken due to its proximity to the Afghanistan border.

Here is a list of those Australian stars who were supposed to take part in the PSL 2026:

PCB Source Dismisses Australian Players’ Safety Concerns

The closest source to PCB claimed that the media reports were false that Australian players were reluctant to travel to the nation due to the increasing Pakistan-Afghanistan border tensions.

Here is what the source stated:“No! There is no such confirmation. The travel arrangements and plans to organize the PSL 11 will take place smoothly. Australian players who are contracted with their respective franchises will arrive in the forthcoming week,” the PCB source revealed.

Even after PCB’s assurance, the concerns about the unavailability of Bangladeshi and Australian cricketers continue to prevail.

Final Thoughts

Because of the increasing security threats near Pakistan’s western borders and tragic incidents in Afghanistan, both BCB and CA are now forced to reconsider the clearance process.

Meanwhile, PCB promised to ensure the required security measures, which include the emergency exits via private jets only if the situation demands. Also, the PSL 11 in Peshawar is limited to a solo fixture, considering the city’s proximity to the Afghanistan border and safety concerns in traveling.

Rather than resolving the issue internally, both the nations’ cricketing boards have now decided to wait for the official approval from their respective governments before granting any final clearance on player travel.