All is not well between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises, according to Pakistani media reports. The franchises are not happy for various reasons and have already informed the PCB.
The biggest concern for franchises right now is the possible schedule clash between the 10th edition of the PSL and the Indian Premier League (IPL) next year. The IPL and PSL are on a collision course and this could hamper the latter as players are likely to prefer the lucrative competition in India.
While the PSL is usually held in February and March, the PCB has identified a window between April 7 and May 20 to host the next edition of the competition. The reason for the new window is the Champions Trophy. Pakistan will host the next edition of the Champions Trophy in February and March and has decided to hold the PSL in April and May.
“As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be held in the traditional event window, the event window for the 2025 event will be from April 7 to May 20. Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi will host matches in Pakistan with each side playing, in at least five home games.”
“The PCB will continue to explore additional venues. It was proposed to hold four playoffs at a neutral venue,” the PCB said in a statement earlier this month.
PSL franchises unhappy with window for PSL 2025:
While the PCB wants to hold the PSL 2025 in April and May next year, the franchises are not impressed with the timing. The IPL usually runs from late March to late May and holding the PSL during that period is likely to affect the participation of foreign players.
According to a report by Cricket Pakistan, the franchises wrote a joint letter to the PCB and demanded a Governing Council meeting to address the issues. Their main concern is the window for the next PSL as they have sought clarification from the PCB on the impact it could have on the commercial value of the league.
The franchises are also not happy with the PCB’s proposal to hold four games at a neutral venue outside Pakistan. Franchise owners have expressed concern about the impact of adding two new teams starting with the eleventh edition. They have sought clarification from the PCB on how the addition of new teams would affect the central revenue fund and the overall schedule of the league.
