Defending Champions Lahore Qalandars Prepare for PSL 2026 Opener Against Hyderabad Kingsmen on March 26
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The defending champions Lahore Qalandars are set to make a late squad change ahead of the upcoming Pakistan Super League season, as Gudakesh Motie has decided to withdraw from the tournament.
Motie, the left-arm spinner from West Indies cricket team, had been signed by Lahore Qalandars for the new PSL season. However, he recently returned home after facing travel disruptions following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India.
West Indies were eliminated from the tournament on March 1 but remained stranded in Kolkata due to the ongoing West Asia crisis, which caused several airspaces to close or operate with restrictions. Commercial flights only became available in the past few days, allowing players to finally return home.
According to reports from ESPNcricinfo, Lahore Qalandars have already identified a like-for-like replacement and are close to signing Sri Lankan all-rounder Dunith Wellalage.
The 23-year-old spinner impressed during the T20 World Cup, picking up eight wickets with an economy rate of 7.22 — slightly better than Motie’s tournament numbers. In addition to his bowling, Wellalage has also developed into a dependable lower-middle-order batter in the shorter formats.
Meanwhile, there are no major concerns regarding the availability of other West Indian players for the PSL. Motie was the only player from the West Indies World Cup squad who had been signed by a PSL franchise. Although South Africa national cricket team also faced travel delays after the World Cup, none of their players are part of the PSL squads this season.
Lahore Qalandars enter the 2026 season as the most successful recent team in the league, having won three of the last four PSL titles. They secured last year’s championship in a thrilling final at Gaddafi Stadium.
If confirmed, Wellalage will join his Sri Lankan T20I captain Dasun Shanaka, who was also picked by the Qalandars during the auction.
The Pakistan Super League 2026 is scheduled to begin on March 26, with Lahore Qalandars kicking off the season against the league’s new franchise Hyderabad Kingsmen.
