Motie pulls out of PSL 2026, Wellalage joins Lahore
West Indies spinner Gudakesh Motie has withdrawn from PSL 2026 ahead of the season opener on March 26 in Lahore, with Lahore Qalandars signing Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage as his replacement. Motie, bought for PKR 1.10 crore in the league’s first auction, recently spent ten days stranded in India after the West Indies exited the T20 World Cup on March 1 amid travel disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the uncertainty around international travel likely influenced his decision. “We needed a quick replacement and Wellalage was a strong option,” a Qalandars official said. The Sri Lankan all-rounder will now join compatriot and T20I captain Dasun Shanaka in the squad.
Further changes may follow, with Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani also considering a PSL withdrawal. “Player availability remains fluid before the tournament,” a league source noted as teams finalize their lineups.