The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and owners of all eight Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises are considering shifting next year’s tournament to January.
According to the media reports, the proposal was discussed at the PSL Governing Council meeting earlier this month, with media rights holder Walee Technologies pushing for an earlier window.
Walee has proposed moving the league from April-May to January, citing concerns over advertising revenues. Companies are believed to have already allocated a major portion of their marketing budgets during Ramadan, potentially limiting advertising spending afterward.
Franchise owners, however, have questioned whether they would
Franchise owners, however, have questioned whether they would receive their full share of broadcast revenues regardless of the tournament window, particularly amid concerns over advertising returns.
Under the existing agreement, the eight franchises receive 95% of broadcast revenue from the central pool.
The PSL was traditionally played in February-March from 2016 to 2024 but shifted to April-May over the last two seasons due to the ICC Champions Trophy and T20 World Cup. The change also resulted in the PSL overlapping with the Indian Premier League (IPL).
A January-February schedule could create competition for overseas
A January-February schedule could create competition for overseas players with Australia’s Big Bash League and South Africa’s SA20. Weather conditions could also pose challenges in Punjab, where fog and low temperatures affect Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi during the winter.
One option under consideration is to begin the tournament in Karachi before moving to Punjab and Peshawar as weather conditions improve.
The council also discussed expanding the PSL beyond its main tournament window, including a possible entry into esports and the staging of a mid-year event to generate additional revenue and maintain the league’s visibility.
No final decision has been taken on the proposed January shift or additional events, with further consultations expected.
Source: pakobserver.net
