KARACHI: South African pacer Lungi Ngidi is likely to miss the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9 as he is struggling to get the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Proteas, sources told Geo News on Friday.
Ngidi has not yet received the NOC and the reason behind the delay is the ongoing fitness concerns.
Peshawar Zalmi picked the 27-year-old in the PSL 9 Draft but the ongoing concerns with the pacer may force the franchise to sign a replacement in the supplementary and replacement draft which will be held on January 29.
PSL franchises will pick the permanent or temporary replacements of eight players who are doubts about the upcoming edition.
Karachi Kings will pick Kieren Pollard’s replacement in the platinum category, as the former West Indies’ all-rounder will be unavailable until the playoffs due to his commitments in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Peshawar Zalmi will look for Afghanistan’s duo Noor Ahmed and Naveen-ul-Haq’s replacements while reigning champions Lahore Qalandars will get Rashid Khan’s replacement in the silver and Dan Lawrence’s as well.
Quetta Gladiators will look to find Wanindu Hasaranga’s replacement, who will be available only for the first five matches.
It must be noted that the ninth season of the PSL is set to commence on February 17, 2024, at the PCB’s headquarters in Lahore. The opening match will feature the two-time champions and current titleholders, Lahore Qalandars, facing off against Islamabad United, winners of the 2016 and 2018 editions.
This premier cricketing event will be played across four cities—Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi—culminating in the final at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on March 18. The tournament, featuring six teams, will consist of 34 T20 matches.
During the course of the competition, Karachi will host 11 matches, including the Qualifier, two Eliminators, and the final. Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi will each host nine matches. Multan, known as the city of saints, will witness five matches.
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.