Islamabad, Oct 7; PSL Draft Delayed as Franchises Reject Star Player Contracts Over IPL Concerns
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise owners have unanimously rejected a proposal by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to offer direct contracts to star players amid scheduling conflicts caused by international commitments.
With the triangular series and the Champions Trophy 2025 disrupting the traditional PSL calendar, the PCB proposed shifting the tournament window to April 10 – May 25, which overlaps with the Indian Premier League (IPL).
This scheduling overlap raised concerns about player availability and potential revenue losses for the PSL. To address this, the PCB suggested that franchises sign 1-2 marquee players through direct contracts.
However, the franchise owners dismissed the proposal due to the underwhelming list of available players, many of whom did not participate in the last IPL or were otherwise unappealing.
In a recent online meeting, franchise representatives communicated their discontent with the PCB’s proposed list, leading to the rejection of direct contracts.
Further complicating the issue is the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) considering an IPL auction in Saudi Arabia next month, which could further limit player availability for the PSL.
As a result, the PSL Draft Delayed has been pushed to late December or early January, pending a clearer understanding of player availability and the broader impact of these scheduling conflicts.
