South African cricket sensation, Faf du Plessis, will unfortunately miss the entire PSL 2026 season. He has not fully recovered from a significant thumb injury, delivering a major blow to the eagerly anticipated tournament and its dedicated fanbase.
The 41-year-old veteran had previously withdrawn midway through the SA20 2025–26 season. This earlier exit was due to a severe ligament tear in his right thumb. Consequently, his journey to recovery has been more challenging than anticipated.
Understanding the Injury: Why Du Plessis Misses This PSL Season
Recent reports confirm that du Plessis requires surgery to address his lingering thumb issue. This surgical intervention will sideline him from competitive cricket for the foreseeable future. Therefore, his absence from the Pakistan Super League is unavoidable.
His decision to commit to the PSL 2026 season over opting into the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction further highlights the significance of this injury. After a five-year hiatus, fans were excited for his return to Pakistan’s premier T20 competition.
Faf du Plessis’s PSL Journey and Career Highlights
Du Plessis last played in the PSL during the 2021 season, representing the Quetta Gladiators. Overall, he has participated in only six matches across two different PSL seasons, featuring for both the Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi.
In five innings within the league, the skilled South African batter scored 107 runs. He maintained an average of 21.40 and achieved a strike rate of 122.98. Furthermore, du Plessis enjoyed a highly distinguished international career for South Africa:
- Scored 4,163 runs in Test cricket.
- Amassed 1,507 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs).
- Recorded 1,527 runs in T20 Internationals.
This injury marks a challenging period for the celebrated cricketer, and fans worldwide wish him a swift recovery.
