PSL to clash with IPL schedule in 2025

PCB is seeking to move the PSL permanently from Feb-March to April-May window.

Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set to clash with the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2025. This comes after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as it plans to move from its customary February slot to May next year. This possible modification is being made in advance of the ICC Champions Trophy, which will be held in Pakistan in 2025.

The measures were offered at a meeting on Saturday between the board and six franchises, which served as a precursor to the formal PSL governing council meeting scheduled for the end of May.

This revised time frame for the PSL would collide with the IPL in 2025, posing a huge issue for both the PCB and franchise owners. However, there are limits owing to a busy cricket calendar, and stakeholders have allegedly unanimously decided that changing the PSL schedule is unavoidable.

Pakistan’s national squad will be in play from August until January, preparing for the ICC Champions Trophy.

PSL 2025 Play-offs to be played at a neutral venue, increased purse for draft

However, the PCB is planning to move the PSL window from February-March to April-May permanently. This is to avoid clashing with other T20 leagues like ILT20 and SA20. This results in several of key overseas players ditching the PSL to make more money in the other leagues.

The IPL window in April-May means there is little to no Full Member international cricket and only IPL is played. PCB acknowledges that PSL cannot compete with IPL, but can try to co-exist with the most popular and richest T20 league in the world.

Meanwhile, during the meeting, PCB also confirmed PSL 2025 will have matches hosted in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi. Each franchise is expected to play at least five matches on home turf.

The board announced a 45% rise in PSL media rights over the previous cycle, with a 113% increase in live streaming rights and a 41% increase in international media rights. This might lead to them offering specific players USD300,000 or more in exchange for a reasonably light schedule of at least ten games until next year. Until date, the largest wage paid to a foreign player in the PSL was roughly USD220,000 (including commercial add-ons).

The PSL 2025 playoffs may also be played at a foreign location with the UK being the preference. Edgbaston, Old Trafford, and The Oval were thrown around as potential venues, where PSL games would attract a healthy audience.

Franchise answers will ultimately determine the fate of the plans, spurred by the new PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi seeking greater clarity surrounding the league’s scheduling.

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