In a turn of events, the Rawalpindiz’s player Daryl Mitchell was seen criticising the PSL. The criticism emerged during a press conference following a humiliating defeat of his team Rawalpindiz. The most viral moment of Mitchell's criticism occurred during Match 10 (Rawalpindiz vs. Karachi Kings) on 2 April 2026. While defending a high total (197), Mitchell was heard on the stump mic expressing extreme frustration.
He slammed the quality of bowling, stating they were "bowling absolute rubbish and serving up full tosses" even though they called themselves "premium bowlers". He was heard saying the fielders were "extremely, absolutely unfit" and that "not a single fielder can catch a ball" after multiple errors helped Karachi chase the target in the final over.
He voiced disappointment at the tournament structure, calling it a "real shame" that teams like Rawalpindi cannot play in their home cities due to security and logistical constraints (matches were restricted to Lahore and Karachi). He emphasised that "if you keep on dropping catches, you cannot win matches," highlighting a lack of professional discipline in the league's fielding.
Watch : Daryl Mitchell smashes back to back century against India
Daryl Mitchell on receiving “hair dryer” as POTM award
The "slam" against the PSL has also been fueled by fans comparing the league's reward culture to the IPL. After a match-winning performance, Mitchell reportedly received a hair dryer (worth roughly ₹700) as a Man of the Match award. This sparked viral social media comparisons to the luxury cars and massive cash prizes often awarded in the IPL.
"I've played cricket in many countries around the world, but this is the first time I've received a hairdryer as a reward", the player said.
This current frustration follows a serious incident in May 2025, where Mitchell was reportedly "horrified" by drone attacks and security tensions during the previous season. At that time, reports from teammates like Rishad Hossain suggested Mitchell had vowed never to return to Pakistan, though he later clarified in a statement for the Lahore Qalandars that he hoped for peace and looked forward to returning.
Daryl Mitchell has been a standout performer for Rawalpindi in the 2026 Pakistan Super League, currently averaging 31.00 and striking at 153.09 across four matches. His most impactful performance came against the Karachi Kings on 2 April, where he scored a composed 65 off 41 balls and claimed 3 wickets.
