Bangladesh’s left-arm pace bowler Mushfiqur Rahman will miss the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season due to threats from extremist elements in India. However, the global demand for the fast bowler ensures he will not remain sidelined for long. The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has now secured his services for the upcoming edition.
The PSL confirmed Mushfiqur’s participation through its official social media channels, posting a photograph of him with the caption: “Batsmen beware… Mushfiqur Rahman joins HBL PSL 11.”
The T20 franchise tournament in Pakistan is scheduled to begin on 26 March and will conclude on 3 May. Mushfiqur has previously featured in the PSL, playing for Lahore Qalandars in 2018. In that season, he appeared in five matches and took four wickets. Seven years later, he returns to the PSL stage, aiming to make a more significant impact this time.
Mushfiqur’s franchise team for this edition has not yet been confirmed, although it is expected to be assigned through the player draft. The draft date has not been officially announced. This edition will be the first PSL tournament to feature eight teams, making it the 11th and largest edition of the league to date.
Mushfiqur’s IPL exclusion came last Saturday, when the Kolkata Knight Riders dropped him from their squad following directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Earlier, during the IPL auction, he had been aggressively contested by Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals but was eventually acquired by Kolkata Knight Riders for 9.2 crore Indian rupees, making him the most expensive Bangladeshi cricketer in IPL history. However, this season he will not feature in the IPL.
The PSL thus benefits enormously, securing one of the world’s top fast bowlers for its franchise competition. Cricket analysts believe Mushfiqur’s inclusion will strengthen the league’s pace-bowling arsenal and raise the competitive standard significantly.
A summary of Mushfiqur’s recent franchise league history is provided below:
| League/Year | Team | Matches Played | Wickets | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2026 Auction | Kolkata Knight Riders | – | – | Sold for ₹9.2 crore; will not play |
| PSL 2018 | Lahore Qalandars | 5 | 4 | First PSL appearance |
| PSL 2026 | TBD (Player Draft) | – | – | Expected to join one of eight teams |
Mushfiqur’s move to the PSL after IPL exclusion highlights the continuing global demand for his skills and reinforces the league’s stature as a competitive T20 platform in South Asia.