According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed a time frame for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL). The Pakistan Cricket Board plans to host the tournament in April-May 2025, coinciding with the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, which, according to Cricket Pakistan, led to objections from several PSL franchises.
The Pakistan Board usually hosts the Pakistan Super League between January and March every year. However, next year’s tournament may require a different schedule due to the national team’s busy schedule. In addition, the development of other franchise leagues has presented challenges for the board.
The SA20 and ILT20 leagues offer players better employment opportunities with higher salaries, making South Africa and the United Arab Emirates more attractive destinations than Pakistan. The rise of these T20 leagues has resulted in a shorter window for the PSL schedule from mid-February to mid-March.
Pakistan Cricket Board suggests possible window for Pakistan Super League 2025
At a meeting in Lahore on Saturday, COO Salman Naseer, senior PCB officials, team owners and other possible dates for the upcoming tournament discussed. They suggested a time frame of early April to mid-May. However, several team owners expressed concerns about the proposed schedule.
Pakistan will tour South Africa for a multi-format series, ending in January 2025. They will then travel to New Zealand for a limited series. According to the Future Tours Program (FTP), the PCB will host an ODI tri-series with New Zealand, South Africa and Pakistan in February.
Pakistan is scheduled to host the 2025 Champions Trophy in February and March next year. The tournaments pose challenges to the PSL’s traditional timing.
Pakistan Cricket Board plans to allow all franchises to sign marquee players
The PCB plans to allow all franchises to sign a top player for the upcoming tournament. The new signings are expected in the coming months. In addition, financial support is provided to franchises for this purpose. However, there are concerns that scheduling the PSL alongside the IPL could impact franchisees’ ability to attract top foreign cricketers.
The meeting addressed various other important issues. The working group intends to submit its recommendations to the PSL Governing Council, which will meet in the coming days under the leadership of PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
Pakistan tours South Africa for multi-format tour
The PCB unveiled the schedule for Pakistan’s trip to South Africa in 2024-25. The series begins on December 10 with a T20I series in Durban, followed by games in Centurion and Johannesburg. The ODI matches are scheduled for December 17-22. The two test matches will be played in Centurion and Cape Town.
| Date | To match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 10 | 1st T20I | Durban |
| Dec 13 | 2nd T20I | centurion |
| Dec 14 | 3rd T20I | Johannesburg |
| Dec 17 | 1st ODI | Paarl |
| Dec 19 | 2nd ODI | Cape Town |
| Dec 22nd | 3rd ODI | Johannesburg |
| 26–30 Dec | 1. Test | centurion |
| 3rd-7th Jan | 2nd test | Cape Town |
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