Franchise Life During Wartime

PL reports on the PSL and IPL's fortunes amid a global energy crisis

Jake Fraser-McGurk has, understandably, pulled the pin on the Pakistan Super League. The trauma of evacuating the 2025 Indian Premier League when war broke out on the Himalayan border, not far from where he was holed up with a number of other confused and alarmed players, may have left some scars.

By way of updates.

Et Al can confirm that Steve Smith is on his way to the PSL, where he will fulfil his role as a marquee player for the Multan Stallions, having spent the past few weeks in New York.

David Warner (Karachi Kings) was on a plane when we caught up with him on Monday, tracking his way around the world’s trouble spots, of which there are many, in order to arrive in Pakistan.

Marnus Labuschagne was another who took off on Monday for Pakistan. Glenn Maxwell, also of the Hyderabad Kingsmen (good name for a 1960s folk group), is sorting out his flight, which appears to have been left to the last minute while things play out.

The Karachi Kings’ Adam Zampa leaves on Tuesday.

The reality of what they are flying into changed dramatically over the weekend, with the Pakistan Cricket Board deciding it will run a vastly reduced competition. Security concerns were eased somewhat by assurances from a Pakistan government minister that they would have access to his private jet should things get ugly.