In a surprising turn for Indian Premier League fans, former England all-rounder Moeen Ali has decided to skip the IPL 2026 season and join the Pakistan Super League (PSL) instead. This announcement comes just days after ex-Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Faf du Plessis made a similar move, marking the second high-profile overseas player to prioritize PSL over IPL in recent times. As the IPL mini-auction approaches on December 16 in Abu Dhabi, these decisions highlight the growing appeal of global T20 leagues beyond India's borders.
Moeen Ali shared his excitement on social media, praising PSL as one of the world's top T20 competitions. He highlighted the high standard of cricket in Pakistan and the passionate crowds that push players to perform at their best. "Playing in Pakistan always gives a fantastic experience," Moeen wrote, expressing hope for another memorable stint. This comes after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) released him ahead of the auction, following a modest IPL 2025 where he managed just 6 runs and 6 wickets in 6 matches after being bought for his base price of 2 crore rupees.
Moeen's IPL journey began in 2018, spanning teams like RCB, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and KKR. Over 73 matches, he accumulated 1,167 runs and claimed 41 wickets, even clinching two IPL titles with CSK in 2021 and 2023. His shift to PSL underscores a broader trend where seasoned international stars seek fresh challenges. Meanwhile, Faf du Plessis, who led RCB for several seasons, announced his IPL departure on November 29. The South African opener, with 4,773 runs in 154 matches across 14 seasons (average 35.10, strike rate 135.79), played for CSK, Rising Pune Supergiant, RCB, and Delhi Capitals. His 2025 season with Delhi was hampered by injury, limiting him to 202 runs in 9 games.
Faf's emotional social media post reflected on his IPL legacy: "After 14 seasons, I am not putting my name in the auction this time. India will always hold a special place in my heart... This is not goodbye." Both players' exits come amid speculation about IPL's competitive landscape, including concerns over venues like M. Chinnaswamy Stadium potentially missing out on hosting RCB matches due to fitness tests ordered by the Karnataka government. As PSL gears up with world-class talent, these moves could reshape T20 dynamics, drawing more global eyes to Pakistan's league.
For IPL enthusiasts, the mini-auction will now focus on emerging talents, with 45 players in the ā¹2 crore bracket, including names like Glenn Maxwell (though absent) and others like Liam Livingstone and Ravi Bishnoi. This shift by Moeen and Faf signals how T20 cricket's global stage is evolving, offering players diverse platforms to extend their careers. Fans await which teams in PSL will snag these stars, promising thrilling contests ahead.
