For the forthcoming tenth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is thinking of letting teams sign elite players directly. After numerous financial setbacks and scheduling issues, this decision was taken.
As a result of unpaid dues from important partners, franchises are still waiting on their revenue share from the ninth edition. This financial instability coincides with possible clashes in the schedule with other important cricket tournaments, such as the Champions Trophy and a triangular series outside the Future Tours Program.
For PSL 10, the PCB has suggested a window of time from April 10 to May 25, although this period has its own set of difficulties. The Indian Premier League (IPL) may overlap with it, which could cause problems with player availability and lower PSL revenue. This is the most significant possibility.
PCB and IPL will clash
The board is thinking of giving franchises the power to bargain directly with big foreign players, according to sources cited by cricketpakistan.com.pk. This will enable every team to sign one or two elite players, possibly at a higher salary to draw elite players to the league. With USD 500,000 set aside from the broadcast arrangement, the PCB intends to provide a share of the total amount.
The availability of players is still a major challenge, though. Although no concrete agreements have been obtained, the PCB has been in communication with other cricket boards about player availability. The situation is exacerbated by the possible conflict with the Indian Premier League, as numerous elite players might be unavailable during this time.
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A bone of disagreement between the PCB and the teams is the scheduling of PSL 10. Franchises contest this, saying they were not given a true say in the matter, despite the board’s assertion that the scheduling decision was reached collaboratively. Subsequent talks regarding June or July created worries about Pakistan’s harsh summer heat, and initial plans for October or November were later rejected.