Exclusive | TTP faction confirms threat to PSL, warns cricket boards against sending players

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A senior commander of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) faction Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has directly confirmed to this newspaper on Monday morning that the group issued a warning to foreign players ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and indicated that it would attempt to disrupt the tournament if participation goes ahead.

The newspaper reached out to the commander through sources to verify the authenticity of a statement circulated on 22nd March, which urged overseas players to withdraw citing security concerns. The commander confirmed that the statement had indeed been issued by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar.

The PSL is scheduled to begin on 26th March.

Speaking to this newspaper, the commander said the message was intended as a clear advisory to cricket boards whose players are participating in the league. “We want to advise the relevant cricket boards not to send their players to Pakistan. If something happens to them, it will not be our responsibility. We have already warned,” he said.

When asked what the group would do if players still travelled and took part in the tournament, the commander indicated an intent to interfere. “We will do whatever is in our capacity, but we will not let the match happen,” he said.

When asked again to clarify whether this meant preventing matches from being played, he responded, “Yes, we will do our best to ensure that the matches do not happen and the players do not play.”

The remarks mark an escalation from a general warning to a stated intent to disrupt the event.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a constituent faction of the TTP, has a distinct operational trajectory. It split from the parent organisation around 2014 before later rejoined, but continues to function with operational autonomy, maintaining its own cadre, command hierarchy and networks. The faction has demonstrated the ability to carry out attacks in urban centres, expanding beyond traditional conflict zones.

The threat gains weight when viewed against recent precedent. On 11th November 2025, a suicide attack targeted the judicial complex in Islamabad, an incident attributed to Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, underscoring the group’s continued capability to carry out high-impact attacks, including in high-security areas.

Sources familiar with militant networks said such warnings are typically calibrated signals aimed at influencing decision-making by external actors, including international participants and institutions and cannot be dismissed lightly.

The PSL this year features several high-profile foreign players, including David Warner, Steve Smith, Moeen Ali, Devon Conway and Adam Zampa, among others. Their participation has been central to the league’s effort to project stability and revive international cricket engagement in Pakistan.

This newspaper has reached out to England and Wales Cricket Board, New Zealand Cricket and Cricket Australia seeking a response to these developments. No response had been received at the time of filing.

Pakistan’s cricket authorities have not issued an official response. PSL matches are typically conducted under multi-layered security arrangements involving federal and provincial agencies, with additional protocols for foreign players.

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