The upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is facing major uncertainty after a senior commander from the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) faction, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, issued a warning to international cricket boards against sending their players to Pakistan for the 2026 tournament. This comes just a day after officials decided to scale down the league to a closed-door event at only two venues—Karachi and Lahore—due to rising security concerns linked to the ongoing West Asia crisis.
On March 22, the TTP released a statement urging foreign players to pull out of the competition. In a conversation with The Sunday Guardian, the group described the message as an “advisory” to cricket boards.
“We advise all concerned boards not to send their players to Pakistan. If anything happens, we will not be responsible. We have already issued a warning,” the commander said.
When questioned about possible action if players still choose to participate, the tone became more serious. “We will do whatever we can… we will try to ensure the matches do not take place,” he added.
The threat comes at a time when the PSL is already dealing with uncertainty. Reports suggest several overseas players are reconsidering their participation following travel advisories issued by different countries amid regional tensions.
Despite this, the tournament is still expected to feature prominent international cricketers such as David Warner, Steve Smith, Moeen Ali, Devon Conway, and Adam Zampa.
Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, which split from the TTP in 2014 and rejoined in 2020, has been linked to multiple attacks in recent years. The group had claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing near a judicial complex in Islamabad in November 2025, adding to concerns around the latest warning.
So far, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not released an official response, even as the tournament is scheduled to begin on March 26.
Earlier, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had confirmed that the league would go ahead without spectators, citing security risks and the broader impact of the regional crisis, including fuel shortages due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
“We cannot ask citizens to limit their movement while allowing full stadiums every day,” Naqvi said, adding that matches will be held behind closed doors and the opening ceremony has been cancelled.
With only a few days remaining before the start, the PSL is now facing serious challenges, including concerns over player participation and the smooth conduct of the tournament.
