Image: Eight Kiwi players skip PSL 2025 restart, including Kane Williamson / © A Sports | Pakistan's first HD Sports Channel
Just after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the resumption of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025, it was hit by a major setback. Eight New Zealand players, including star batsman Kane Williamson, opted out of the tournament due to security concerns, despite PCB’s assurances.
The PSL was earlier suspended following intense hostilities between India and Pakistan, during which a drone from India struck Rawalpindi Stadium. Initially shifted to Karachi, the PCB later proposed hosting the league in the UAE, but the Emirates Cricket Board rejected the idea due to ongoing tensions. With a ceasefire now in place, PSL 2025 is set to resume on May 17, with the final scheduled for May 25. However, 37 overseas players were part of the tournament, and a majority have refused to return. Kane Williamson, a member of Karachi Kings led by David Warner, is among those skipping the remainder of the league.
The final stages, including the playoffs, will be held in Rawalpindi and Lahore. On the points table, Quetta Gladiators lead with six wins, followed by Karachi Kings with five from eight matches. The absence of top foreign players casts a shadow over the remaining matches, especially for title contenders.