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Khawaja, 39, recently retired from international cricket during the Ashes earlier this year. He played the BBL for Brisbane Heat, scoring 108 runs at a strike rate of nearly 148 in three innings. He also played the Sheffield Shield for Queensland, which also marked the end of his first-class career.
Khawaja has played in the PSL before when he turned out for Islamabad United in the 2021 season. Khawaja had a stellar campaign that time, scoring 246 runs in seven innings to average 49.20 while striking at 152.79. That also included an unbeaten century of 105 against Peshawar Zalmi when United posted 247, the highest PSL total at the time. United finished on top of the table that year but lost in the second eliminator to Zalmi.
Now Khawaja will play for a new franchise, where he could open with his captain Mohammad Rizwan. Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk had also withdrawn from the Pindiz squad recently and was replaced by New Zealand’s Cole McConchie.
Evans’ late withdrawal continues the trend of players pulling out of the PSL at the last minute. Although Evans’ reason is not known yet, some other players like Dasun Shanaka (Lahore Qalandars) and Blessing Muzarabani (Islamabad United) pulled out recently for IPL contracts.
Green replaces Bryant at Islamabad United
For Islamabad United, offspinner Chris Green replaces Max Bryant, who has been ruled out of the tournament with injury. Bryant played five games for Peshawar Zalmi last season and was picked up by United for PKR 1.95 crore ahead of PSL 2026.
Green has also played in the PSL before, having been part of five games for Multan Sultans in 2019.
The PSL begins on March 26 when Qalandars take on Hyderabad Kingsmen. Pindiz play their first match on March 28, in an afternoon game against Zalmi. The first 14 games of the tournament will be played in Lahore before the action moves to Karachi. This PSL will also be played behind closed doors because of the lack of resources as a result of the war in West Asia.
