Full list of players who left PSL to join IPL ft. Blessing Muzarabani

Almost Every international player keeps Indian Premier League (IPL) as first priority, with Pakistan Super League (PSL) being their backup.

It is widely known that the Indian Premier League (IPL) is the greatest T20 competition in the world, possibly even more entertaining and exciting than the T20 World Cup. This is mainly due to the massive talent reserves in India, as the ten franchises unearth new gems year after year.

Top overseas talents get recruited for massive bucks, and playing the IPL has now become a massive checklist for every cricketer, Indian or overseas. Taking place for two months, the ICC provides the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) with a guaranteed 75-80 day window of no International cricket between top teams except Pakistan and associate teams.

Pakistan’s local franchise league, as a result, suffers due to IPL. All the best talents are picked in the IPL, and only those who go unsold are left with no choice but to opt for PSL. IPL’s superior quality, massive financial benefits, and learning exposure put it well and truly ahead of every other league.

Today, we take a look at all players who left PSL to join the IPL.

Players who left PSL to join IPL

1. Corbin Bosch

Corbin Bosch shocked and angered PSL and their franchise owners when he left Peshawar Zalmi, despite being picked in the PSL draft, and opted to play in the IPL 2025 season.

He joined IPL’s most successful franchise, the Mumbai Indians (MI), and played an important role for them, replacing injured Lizard Williams.

Bosch, an invaluable all-rounder from South Africa, is also part of MI’s sister team in the SA20 league (MI Cape Town). Despite his subsequent apology, PSL banned the South African for one year. The penalty did not affect Bosch, though, who continues to be part of the Mumbai Indians setup for the IPL 2026 season.

2. Kusal Mendis

Kusal Mendis featured for Quetta Gladiators during PSL 2025, before the league was suspended due to the India-Pakistan war. However, upon PSL’s resumption, Mendis declared that he will not return to the country due to safety reasons.

Instead, he joined IPL’s Gujarat Titans to replace Jos Buttler, who had to skip the last few matches, including playoff matches, due to international commitments.

3. Mitchell Owen

Mitchell Owen also decided not to return to Pakistan. However, the reason was different to Mendis’. He was earlier expected to finish his 2025 PSL stint and then join the Punjab Kings as cover for Glenn Maxwell.

However, due to the brief suspension and resumption, Owen decided to directly feature for PBKS, angering Pakistani fans and media.

4. Kyle Jamieson

Kyle Jamieson had the same reason not to return to PSL 2025. He decided to honour his already agreed-upon commitments with the Punjab Kings, and replaced Lockie Ferguson and even played all playoff matches, including the final.

5. Blessing Muzarabani

For the second straight year, a player withdrew from PSL after being picked by a franchise. Islamabad United bought Blessing Muzarabani, Zimbabwe’s gun pacer, for the 2026 PSL event.

However, Muzarabani ditched the Pakistani league, upon receiving an offer to join KKR, who were looking for Mustafizur Rahman’s replacement. Muzarabani played a vital role in helping his country qualify for the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 stage, finishing the competition as the second-highest wicket-taker with 13 wickets.

6. Dasun Shanaka

Sri Lanka T20I captain Dasun Shanaka is the latest entrant. According to Lankan journalist Danushka Aravinda, he ditched PSL despite being picked by Lahore Qalandars for the 2026 edition. He will join Rajasthan Royals replacing Sam Curran, who was ruled out due to injury. Shanaka has often been called up by IPL franchises for as injury replacement, having previously been associated with Gujarat Titans in 2023 and 2025.

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