In a surprising turn of events, Islamabad United released West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph mere hours after his signing was announced for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026. According to TechJuice, the franchise initially confirmed Joseph's acquisition during the auction on February 11, 2026, for a reported Rs. 1.10 crore. However, the decision was swiftly reversed, and the announcement was removed from social media, leaving fans and analysts questioning the rationale behind this abrupt change. ProPakistani highlights that the release might be linked to serious allegations against Joseph, including rape and sexual assault, reported by at least 11 women in June 2025. Despite these allegations, no formal criminal charges have been filed against him. This controversy overshadowed Islamabad United's active participation in the PSL 11 auction, where they retained key players like Shadab Khan and secured Faheem Ashraf for Rs. 8.50 crore, one of the highest bids of the auction.