After the Asia Cup 2023 challenge and players’ contract, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in troubled waters once again. This time, it is about the Pakistan Super League. With indications of Pakistan General elections in early next year, PSL 2024 could be shifted out. While the UAE was the top choice, it is unlikely as its own T20 league ILT20 2024 will be played from Jan 19 to Feb 18. As things stand, PSL Governing Council will meet on September 25 to discuss possibilities on venues and dates. But as things stand, PSL could clash with IPL 2024.
Last season, the Pakistan Super League overlapped with Big Bash League as well as ILT20 and SA20. To make room for the two newly-born tournaments, PSL 2023 began on February 13, shifting from its January-February window.
However, this time, PSL 2024 is searching for a home. While the Pakistan general elections were supposed to be held by November 2023, now it can happen by February 2024. That upsets PSL 2024 scheduling as well as venues.
Difficult to find window
- BBL 2024: December 7, 2023 to January 24, 2024
- ILT20 2024: Jan 19-Feb 18, 2024
- SA20 2024: Jan 10-Feb 10, 2024
- BPL 2024: January-February (Likely)
- IPL 2024: March-May
PSL 2024 Could clash with IPL 2024
With Pakistan Cricket Board and the Emirates Cricket Board sharing a cordial relation, UAE could be the home. But UAE will have no venues to offer between Jan 19 and Feb 18.
PCB cannot advance the dates of PSL 2024 as Pakistan will tour Australia and New Zealand in the December-January window. That leaves PCB with the only option to conduct the tournament after ILT20 or late February.
However, that is not ideal for Pakistan Cricket Board either. The reason? IPL 2024. The 17th edition of the cash-rich Indian Premier League will begin after the end of the England Tour of India or March end. PCB runs the risk of clashing with some parts of IPL 2024.
But as has been the case, some foreign players as well as the coaches who are with PSL franchises would choose IPL over Pakistan Super League. PSL needs at least 35 days to complete and if it starts as early as March or late February, it will clash with IPL. As per a Cricket Pakistan report, the PSL GC meeting, where all franchise owners will also be present, will discuss the dates and potential alternative venues.
IPL has its own battle in hands as well. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will also have a very limited window due to T20 World Cup 2024 in June. And BCCI expects quite a few pullouts by overseas players including England Test captain Ben Stokes. A 10-team IPL will have to conclude the tournament by May 27 at least. Furthermore, Indian General Elections could also force BCCI to have some part of IPL 2024 overseas.
No new franchise yet
While the PSL governing Council could struggle with finding a home and dates for PSL 2024, one thing is clear, there will be no new franchise in the next edition.
As per Cricket Pakistan, PCB chief Zaka Ashraf does not share the same vision as former president Ramiz Raja. Ashraf does not want to expand the six-team tournament until the 10th edition or PSL 2025.
To make things easier for Zaka Ashraf, existing franchise owners share a similar vision. Hence, there will be no new addition to PSL 2024.
