PSL 2026: Islamabad United forced to remove Shamar Joseph from squad after social media protest

Islamabad United have removed West Indies' all-rounder Shamar Joseph from their squad three days after roping in the latter at the auction ahead of the Pakistan Super League's 2026 season. Soon after the franchise onboarded Joseph, a set of fans on social media started a protest against the cricketer, who was charged with sexual harassment allegations in 2025.

With Joseph's departure, the Islamabad-based franchise has opted to bring in Zimbabwe pace bowler Blessing Muzarabani. Notably, Muzarabani has been involved in PSL previously as well. He played for Multan Sultans (now a Rawalpindi-based side) during the 2021 and 2022 seasons before moving to Karachi Kings in the 2023-24 edition. Islamabad, thus, will be the third PSL franchise for the left-arm seamer.

According to ESPNcricinfo, the United do not wish to issue any formal announcement regarding the ouster of the Caribbean cricketer. Notably, Joseph is currently representing the West Indies in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 and was cleared of the sexual misconduct charges by the Jamaican authorities, citing the allegations as bogus. 

While Joseph leaves behind a big void, the three-time champions still have a strong squad, which has a mixture of experience and youth. Several overseas stars, who have proven their mettle at the global stage, will be seen playing a key part in Islamabad seeking their record-breaking fourth title in the upcoming season.

They have wicketkeeper-batter Devon Conway as one of the biggest names in world cricket, with Shadab Khan likely to be the leader of the pack. Nepal's Dipendra Singh Airee also features in the squad, while Pakistan's Under-19 talent Sameer Minhas has also been roped in by the United for the marquee T20 tournament.

Islamabad United's updated squad for PSL 2026

Devon Conway, Shadab Khan, Salman Irshad, Andries Gous, Faheem Ashraf, Mehran Mumtaz, Max Bryant, Mark Chapman, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mir Hamza Sajjad, Sameen Gul, Sameer Minhas, Imad Wasim, Richard Gleeson, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Dipendra Singh Airee, Blessing Muzarabani