PCB requests Emirates Cricket Board to tweak schedule of ILT20 2024

As reported by Cricket Pakistan, national team players are likely to take part in the next edition of ILT20

PHOTO: AFP

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has requested the Emirates Cricket Board to make adjustments to the schedule of the next edition of International League T20 (ILT20).

The second edition of ILT20 is currently scheduled to take place from January 13 to February 12 in 2024. However, due to the overlap with the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the PCB has asked for a ten-day concession to accommodate its players, reported ESPNcricinfo.

In the previous edition of the ILT20, which took place from January 13 to February 12 earlier this year, Pakistan players were not allowed to participate despite attractive offers from the UAE-based league.

As reported by Cricket Pakistan last month, the ILT20 organizers offered top players, including Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan, substantial contracts, along with the opportunity to captain a team and sign a three-year contract. However, the PCB did not grant permission to its players to participate in the league. The then-PCB Chairman, Ramiz Raja, had even requested compensation from the Emirates Cricket Board in return for releasing the players.

In contrast, the current PCB chief, Najam Sethi, has taken a more flexible approach towards the ILT20. Sethi emphasizes the importance of maintaining good relations with the UAE and suggests that negotiations can be pursued based on the principle of 'give and take.' Hence, as reported by Cricket Pakistan, national team players are likely to take part in the next edition of ILT20.

Last month, Cricket Pakistan also reported that there is a possibility of rearranging the home series against West Indies in 2024. The officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) conveyed to the franchises during the recent PSL governing council meeting in Lahore that the mentioned series with West Indies might require rescheduling in order to accommodate PSL 9. The West Indies team is currently slated to come to Pakistan in February and March to play two Test matches and three T20I matches.