PSL franchise owners have voiced their dissent against the PCB’s proposal to overlap PSL 10 with the 2025 IPL season. This opposition arises as the PCB contemplates adjusting the league’s traditional mid-February to mid-March schedule due to the ICC Champions Trophy slated for February-March 2025.
Franchise representatives expressed serious reservations about the proposed schedule adjustment and the possibility of higher compensation for star players during a critical PSL Cricket Committee meeting on Tuesday. They contended that paying top international players more may encourage local players to seek wage increases as well, upending the franchises’ delicate financial equilibrium.
Emphasizing the importance of financial stability and averting budgetary inflation, the franchises cautioned against unsustainable salary hikes for marquee players, citing potential adverse effects on their operations.
The PCB’s proposal of an April 7 to May 20 window for PSL 2025, aligned with the Champions Trophy, was deliberated upon. However, other suggested innovations such as introducing impact players and replacing the traditional coin toss with a bat toss failed to garner franchise approval.
Furthermore, the prospect of hosting PSL 10 playoffs at neutral venues in England was discussed during the meeting. Expectations are for further negotiations between the PCB and franchises as they strive to reach a consensus on the next season’s dates. The PSL Governing Council is slated to convene toward the end of May 2024 to finalize any alterations to playing conditions.
The outcome of these deliberations is anticipated to profoundly influence the league’s operational strategies and its capacity to attract prominent players in forthcoming seasons.
