Gudakesh Motie has pulled out of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026. The West Indies left-arm spinner was stuck in India for ten days after the Men in Maroon were knocked out of the T20 World Cup 2026 on March 1st.
After the International Cricket Council (ICC) failed to procure charter flights due to the West Asia conflict, players and support staff members of the West Indies and South African cricket teams left on March 10 and 11.
Gudakesh Motie pulls out of PSL 2026
Motie was the only member of the West Indies contingent stuck in India who’d landed himself a gig in the PSL after he was picked up by Lahore Qalandars for PKR 1.10 crore in the first-ever PSL auction.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Motie has been replaced by Sri Lanka left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage. The reason behind Motie pulling out hasn’t been confirmed, but it’s safe to assume Motie doesn’t want to risk getting stuck in transit or in Pakistan amid the uncertainty of the West Asia conflict.
Wellalage will join the Qalandars alongside Sri Lanka’s T20I captain Dasun Shanaka, who had been picked up at the auction for PKR 4.20 crore.
Others to withdrawals as well?
Motie won’t be the only withdrawal. Blessing Muzarabani, who was signed by Islamabad United as the replacement of Shamar Joseph for PKR 1.10 crore, could pull out of the PSL and join the Kolkata Knight Riders instead.
Although no Proteas players who were stuck in India have signed a deal in the PSL, there might be some concerns about travelling to Pakistan from South Africa.
