PCB, PSL franchises refuse to succumb to Punjab govt’s demand

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) conducted an emergency meeting with all PSL franchise owners on Friday, in order to decide the fate of PSL matches scheduled to take place in Lahore and Rawalpindi.

The interim Punjab government had demanded PKR500 million from PCB to conduct the matches in Lahore and Rawalpindi. The board has already paid PKR50 million to Punjab government for expenses on food.

The provincial government is now demanding the remaining PKR450 million for lighting and security purposes. In order to save these expenses, the board is now considering to shift the Punjab-leg of PSL 8 to Karachi.

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According to details, the meeting took place via video conference call, where the PSL franchise owners gave PCB management committee chairman, Najam Sethi, the final authority to take the call on the aforementioned matter.

Najam Sethi believes that succumbing to the provincial government’s demand will set a wrong precedent for the future and will also result in financial losses for the board and PSL franchises.

PSL franchises have refused to foot the PKR450 million bill demanded by the provincial government.

PCB is still negotiating the matter with the provincial government. In the meeting held between PCB and provincial government on Friday evening, Sethi presented details of approximately PKR 700million provincial tax to Punjab government exclusively due to PSL matches in Punjab.

"Government's bid and pay fees to host sports events due to the positive economic activity generated as a result. Here, we are being penalised for hosting matches in Punjab," PCB tells Punjab govt.

PCB has told Punjab government not a single penny will be paid for security services and the board is ready to shift the matches from Punjab to Karachi.

Another emergency meeting will take place between PCB and PSL franchises tomorrow, in case the issue is not resolved.

According to Express News correspondent, Muhammad Yousuf Anjum, PCB has presented an alternate plan to PSL franchises regarding shifting the rest of the PSL 8 matches to Karachi.

The correspondent further added that if the remaining PSL matches are shifted to Karachi, then the matches scheduled for Lahore during New Zealand series, are also likely to move to Karachi.