PCB considers rescheduling West Indies home series to accommodate PSL 9

The PSL governing council meeting was held in Lahore on Friday, in which the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials and PSL team owners and officials participated.

During the aforementioned meeting, it was proposed that the next edition of Pakistan Super League should be held in February and March.

The board officials have informed the franchises that they will have to reschedule the home series against West Indies in order to make room for PSL 9. It should be noted that the Caribbean side is scheduled to visit Pakistan in February and March for two Test matches and 3 T20I matches.

A board official also mentioned that since strict security measures are followed in Pakistan, they are costing PCB a lot of money. Therefore, it was proposed by a board official to start the next PSL edition from UAE. The board official further proposed that after the initial matches in UAE, the event can be brought back to Pakistan.

There has been opposition from the franchises on this matter. The owners have clearly stated that it is necessary that all matches should only be held in Pakistan.

It should be noted that some board officials still reminisce about staying at big hotels and the daily allowances they used to receive in dollars during the PSL matches held in UAE in the past. Hence, they want the event to be shifted back to UAE.

During the meeting, Sethi also reiterated his recommendation to add two more teams in the next edition and said that they will provide a financial model that will not cause any loss to the existing franchises. To which, one of the owners sarcastically remarked that Sethi said the same things in the past while selling the PSL teams but nothing like that happened.

Sethi also said that many people are expressing interest in buying new PSL teams and are also interested in investing in the Women’s League. PCB is hoping that PSL franchises would also show participate in the Women’s League but expect them to pay the franchise fee.

The eighth edition of PSL was described as being “very good” in terms of revenue, but the amount of profit earned is yet to be disclosed. It should be noted that accounts have to be shared with the franchises by May 5, but the deadline has been extended until May 15. Various committees have also been established regarding broadcast rights and other issues.