Another Pakistan Super League (PSL 11) signing has slipped away to the Indian Premier League (IPL), raising fresh concerns over player retention ahead of the new season.
Quetta Gladiators’ overseas pick, Spencer Johnson, is set to feature in the IPL after being released by the franchise due to injury concerns.
The left-arm pacer was initially signed by Quetta Gladiators for Rs. 5.6 crore, but the franchise decided to part ways after being informed that his rehabilitation would keep him unavailable for a significant portion of the tournament.
Shortly after his release, Chennai Super Kings moved quickly to sign Johnson as a replacement for the injured Nathan Ellis for IPL 2026. Interestingly, the Australian quick has been picked up at a lower price of INR 1.5 crore (approximately Rs. 4.45–4.66 crore), meaning the IPL franchise secured him at a cheaper rate than his PSL deal.
Reports suggest Johnson is expected to join CSK between April 21–23, effectively ruling him out of full participation in PSL 11, a development that somewhat validates Quetta’s earlier decision to release him.
This is not an isolated case. In another recent incident, Islamabad United had signed Zimbabwean pacer Blessing Muzarabani, only for him to later join Kolkata Knight Riders, reportedly breaching his PSL contract.
With multiple instances of players shifting to IPL despite PSL commitments, the league’s management has taken notice. Officials have stated that strict action will be taken against contract violations, including legal notices and potential bans for players who fail to honor their agreements.
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