Discontent brews between PCB and PSL franchises

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises have once again expressed their dissatisfaction with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), raising multiple concerns in a joint letter and demanding a Governing Council meeting to address these issues.

Sources revealed that the team owners have sent an email to the PCB seeking clarification on several critical matters. Foremost among their concerns is the potential clash between the schedule of the 10th edition of PSL and the Indian Premier League (IPL). The franchises have requested the PCB to explain how such a scheduling conflict could affect the commercial value of the league, as well as details on the associated costs and other related matters.

The franchises have also questioned the feasibility and benefits of holding four matches of the next PSL edition at a neutral venue outside Pakistan. They have asked for a detailed breakdown of the costs involved and the advantages this move would bring to the league.

Another significant concern raised is the impact of adding two new teams from the 11th edition onwards. The owners have asked how the inclusion of these teams would affect the central revenue pool and the overall schedule of the league. They are also seeking clarity on the associated costs of this expansion.

The franchises expressed their displeasure over the recent PCB press release, which suggested that the team owners had agreed to certain decisions. The owners clarified that no such consensus had been reached. Additionally, they were surprised by the media release concerning the workshop, which claimed discussions on the addition of the seventh and eighth teams, a topic that was not addressed in the meeting.

The letter also highlighted the concern over the PCB’s unfulfilled commitment to create a separate company for the PSL. The team owners stressed that workshops are meant for discussions, while decisions should be made in the Governing Council meetings, and thus, they urged for such a meeting to be convened promptly.