The first match of the 2024 Pakistan Super League season will coincide with the ILT20 final in the United Arab Emirates, a scheduling clash that will create complications for franchises in both leagues.
The ninth edition of the PSL will launch on February 17 with a match between the league’s two most successful teams, defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The ILT20 final will be held at the same time in Dubai.
Several foreign players will also feature in both leagues and may miss the start of the PSL or the final stages of the ILT20, depending on the terms of their contracts and the progress of their franchises.
The PCB released the PSL matches on Friday, with the final of the tournament scheduled for March 18. The knockout stages will be played in Karachi for the first time since 2020, which will host a total of 11 matches. Lahore (nine matches), Rawalpindi (nine) and Multan (five) will also host matches, but neither Quetta nor Peshawar.
Zaka Ashraf, chairman of the PCB management committee, said: “The decision to host the main event in these cities is a testament to our commitment to bringing top-class cricket to fans across the country. We believe that hosting matches at these venues “It not only increases the enthusiasm of the fans but also promotes cricket at the grassroots level.”
The PCB recently agreed to a new broadcast deal for the 2024 and 2025 editions of the PSL and reported a 113% increase in the value of live broadcast rights and a 45% increase in the value of broadcast rights. “It is an unprecedented time as the prices of both rights are unmatched,” Ashraf said. “This is a testament to the growth of the HBL PSL brand.”
The board also announced that the National Women’s T20 Tournament will begin on Monday, January 15, and will feature six regional teams: Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta and Rawalpindi. The final will be held on January 31 and the venue has not yet been announced.
The 16-player squads were selected by the women’s national selection committee. “The 2024 Women’s National T20 Tournament serves [as] “It is a great opportunity for players to stake their claim in the national team ahead of a busy international year,” the PCB said in a press release, as both the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup will take place in September October.
