Litton Das out of PSL with injury, Karachi Kings call up Ben McDermott as replacement

Litton Das has been ruled out of the PSL after he sustained a blow to the thumb during training. Karachi Kings announced the Bangladesh wicketkeeper, who was drafted in the Silver Category this year, will be replaced by Australian wicketkeeper Ben McDermott.

"Unfortunately, I couldn't be part of this tournament, even though I was really looking forward to it," Litton said in a statement on Karachi Kings' website. "Life can be unpredictable - just my bad luck."

McDermott has never played in the PSL before but does have recent T20 form coming into the league. He was a member of the Hobart Hurricanes side that won its first BBL title earlier this year, getting his runs at a strike rate just under 145 in the tournament, including a cameo in the final.

Meanwhile, Karachi also confirmed Kane Williamson would be partially unavailable during this campaign. Williamson is expected to join the Kings after the Karachi leg of the tournament ends on April 21, meaning he will miss the first five of his side's games this tournament. He will be replaced for that period by Saad Baig, currently captain of Pakistan's U19 side.

Peshawar Zalmi also bolstered their ranks in the lead-up to their first game. Fast bowler Ihsanullah, who was ruled out for an extended period of time with a career-threating elbow injury which the PCB acknowledged was mishandled, makes his return to the league for the first time since 2023. He has been signed by Peshawar Zalmi, who play their first game against Quetta Gladiators on Saturday.