Mitchell Johnson pulls out of PSL
The Australian quick's absence is a major blow to a bowling attack that could also miss Usman Khan who is still recovering from a stress fracture of a back
ESPNcricinfo staff
16-Jan-2018
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Former Australia quick Mitchell Johnson, who was set to make his debut for the Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League, has withdrawn himself from the tournament, citing personal reasons.
Yes I am making myself unavailable this PSL18 for personal reasons & also for me to schedule myself the way I feel works best for me this year for 20/20 tournaments. These are the only reasons for me not playing. I wish KK the best for the season.
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) January 16, 2018
Johnson is the joint second-highest wicket-taker for Perth Scorchers in the ongoing Big Bash League with seven wickets in as many matches at an economy rate of 5.67. Johnson is then set to play in the IPL. He is among 36 players who have listed their base price at the maximum of INR 2 crore (USD 315,000 approx) ahead of the IPL auction on January 27 and 28.
Johnson's absence is a major blow to a bowling attack that could also miss Usman Khan, who has been sidelined for six months starting from November 2017, because of a stress fracture of the back.
The third edition of the PSL gets underway on February 22 in Dubai.
Karachi Kings' updated squad: Shahid Afridi, Usman Khan, Usama Mir, Khurram Manzoor, Ravi Bopara, Imad Wasim (capt), Babar Azam, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Colin Ingram, Luke Wright, David Wiese, Tabish Khan, Mohammad Irfan Jnr., Hasan Mohsin.
Supplementary players: Colin Munro, Eoin Morgan, Saifullah Bangash
Supplementary players: Colin Munro, Eoin Morgan, Saifullah Bangash