PCB presses PSL defaulters

Broadcaster wants January PSL, franchises favour April

Saleem KhaliqSeptember 06, 20261 min readPhoto: PCB

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has warned stakeholders with outstanding payments to clear their dues, telling them that financial difficulties or other circumstances would not exempt them from their obligations.

PCB officials delivered the message during a recent meeting of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Governing Council in London, where the league’s finances and schedule for its next edition were discussed.

Substantial amounts remain outstanding from some stakeholders. Board officials made it clear to the concerned parties that the full amounts owed would have to be paid.

During the meeting, the stakeholders explained the financial difficulties they were facing and said the Iran-U.S war had affected their businesses, leaving them unable to recover some payments.

The PCB, however, maintained that regardless of the reasons or circumstances, the outstanding dues had to be settled.

The meeting also discussed the playing window for PSL 12, with a clear divide emerging between the broadcaster and franchise owners.

The broadcaster is pushing for a January start, while the franchises favour an April window.

The broadcaster’s representative argued that sponsors allocate a significant portion of their annual marketing budgets early in the year, making January a more commercially attractive period for the tournament.

One franchise owner countered that the agreement does not specify fixed dates for the PSL and that the franchises should therefore abide by whatever decision is ultimately taken by the PCB.

The owner also argued that if the dates were finalised well in advance, franchises would have sufficient time to secure sponsorships and plan their commercial activities accordingly.

The PCB has asked the franchises to consult among themselves and submit their recommendations on the preferred window.

The Governing Council also discussed the possibility of staging a tournament featuring PSL teams along the lines of the Hong Kong Sixes.

The proposal would provide an additional event involving the league’s franchises and potentially create another commercial opportunity for the PSL.

No final decision has been taken on the proposal, with further discussions expected before the PCB determines whether such an event can be organised.