Controversy Erupts in Pakistan Super League as Quetta Gladiators Field Two Players in One Position
Quetta Gladiators' Confusing Player Selection
In a recent incident highlighting the unprofessionalism within the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the Quetta Gladiators made a puzzling decision during their match against Lahore Qalandars on April 17 at Karachi's National Stadium. Despite winning the match by six wickets, a significant controversy arose after the toss when the playing XI was announced.
The Gladiators had named veteran Sri Lankan batsman Dinesh Chandimal as a replacement for young New Zealand talent Bevon Jacobs, who was called up for the national team ahead of an upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. However, both players ended up in the starting lineup for the match against the Qalandars. Chandimal, making his season debut, scored only three runs off five balls, while Jacobs contributed an unbeaten 14 runs off six balls, helping secure the victory with 22 balls remaining.
Confusion Surrounding Player Replacement
While an official announcement stated that Chandimal was replacing Jacobs, reports from Pakistani media suggested that English all-rounder Tom Curran was unwell and did not make it to the ground. Consequently, Chandimal was thought to be filling in for Curran instead. It was also mentioned that Curran would take Jacobs' place in the next match. This situation raised eyebrows, as it indicated that the Gladiators had nine overseas players in their squad, exceeding the league's limit of eight foreign players.
No ruleVinceMaxwell AhsanNow chandimal All playing with no Clarity why are they playing Ajeeb bandar bant chul rhi sab 2 2 khilao apny apny extra awam jaye bhad main standard jaye bhad main
— Shahbaz Roy (@criccrazyme) April 17, 2026
@iNabeelHashmi can you clarify its not manipulation of rules or there is any other player who is not with QG https://t.co/eYmiwzS6xb
— Waji Wajahat (@wajiwajahat007) April 17, 2026
That’s such a bs explanation. You get a player for someone else replacement use it for someone else. If this was a serious league he wouldn’t have been able to join a squad until said player was not available. Even local league in my village has better standards.
— Hasnain Kallu (@KalluHasnain) April 18, 2026
This incident adds to a series of controversies in the PSL this season, which has already seen Fakhar Zaman suspended for ball tampering and Shaheen Afridi fined for violating security protocols. Additionally, Naseem Shah faced a significant fine due to a social media post targeting a politician.