Quetta Gladiators will not feature Pakistan’s rising cricket star Naseem Shah in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine, as the 20-year-old has opted to part ways with the franchise for personal reasons.
Instead, Naseem Shah is set to join a new team, with both Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United expressing interest in acquiring his services. Notably, Shah’s player category has been elevated from diamond to platinum as part of the local player category renewal process for the 2024 edition of PSL.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and PSL franchises recently reached an agreement, determining that the finalization of PSL 2024 dates would be contingent upon guidance from the government of Pakistan, especially with the general election scheduled for February 8, 2024.
The tentative schedule for PSL 9 spans from February 8 to March 24, creating a window that aligns with the general election. Both parties unanimously decided to promptly seek formal advice from the government to pinpoint the exact tournament dates.
Simultaneously, franchise owners urged the PCB to expedite the sale of PSL Media rights. Amid discussions about potential hosts for PSL 9 matches, UAE and South Africa emerged as candidates, considering the general election scenario in Pakistan. However, despite these considerations, most franchises are advocating for the entire event to be held within Pakistan.
In a move to enhance the league’s international appeal, the PCB has opened a registration window for foreign players, inviting cricketers from around the world to participate in PSL 9.
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