KARACHI: A proposal for direct contracts of foreign stars to PSL franchises has emerged, each team will be able to select one to two marquee cricketers, their fees will also be paid by PCB.
In this regard, differences have also emerged among some team officials, discussions with the board are ongoing on some issues, franchises have asked for a list of potential players which has not been sent to them so far, responsibility for clashing dates of the league with IPL. Even as the two parties began to pit each other against each other, the franchises have called for an investigation into the potential impact on media and commercial deals.
According to details, things seem to be at a standstill before the tenth edition of PSL, due to non-payment of dues from key stakeholders, the franchises could not even get a share of the revenue of the ninth edition, scheduling away from FTP. Due to the Volley Triangular Series and then the Champions Trophy, the 2025 event will not be held on the traditional dates.
The PCB has given a possible window of April 10 to May 25, out of which the dates will be finalised. Sources said the board is considering allowing franchises to sign direct contracts with big players, allowing 1 to 2 marquee players in each team, allowing them to be paid more than traditionally.
More money can also attract stars to Pakistani league, PCB will also pay some part in this, 5 lakh dollars was set aside from the broadcast contract this year too, the same will happen next year too, but now. It is not clear which player is available due to not participating in the Indian league.
In a meeting a few months ago, the PCB had asked to talk to other boards for the availability of players but then made no commitment. Their players will also be sent to the leagues, however, participation in the leagues is the option of the players, the board cannot force them, that’s why direct contracts were said.
Three options came up in the August meeting, on which the franchises said that they would decide on the list of available players and the salary, before they were sent the names of the cricketers left over from the previous IPL auction. Differences among a few team officials have also surfaced over direct contracts, the board has also been asked to research the possible impact on media and commercial deals in the event of a clash with the IPL.
Interestingly, neither the PCB nor the franchises are ready to take responsibility for the decision to hold the PSL on IPL dates. Given that this decision was made jointly by the teams, the franchises say that this impression is not correct, we were not given a choice. When it was hot in the country, the board wanted the play-off matches to be held in England, but the ECB waived it.
