The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is currently considering options to postpone the home series against West Indies, which is scheduled for February and March 2024. This decision comes as it clashes with the next edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). To avoid overlapping, the PCB has reached out to the Emirates Cricket Board, requesting a ten-day shift in their ILT20 league.
As per the International Cricket Council’s Future Tours Programme (FTP), Pakistan is slated to host West Indies for two Tests and three T20Is early next year. However, since 2016, this period has also been reserved for conducting the PSL. During the recent PSL governing council meeting, it was agreed that the PCB can “sacrifice” the home series if needed. The board is now engaging in discussions with various stakeholders to secure a clear window for the next PSL.
If the PCB chooses to hold the West Indies series after Ramzan, which concludes in the second week of April, they may face another challenge. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is scheduled for April-May, and this could result in several West Indies players being unavailable for the bilateral series in Pakistan. Although the PCB has not provided specific details about the rescheduling, there have been discussions about potentially playing the home series during the month of Ramadan, from March to April. However, organizing Test matches during this period presents significant challenges as players observe fasting. Nevertheless, the PCB successfully conducted a limited-overs series against New Zealand during Ramadan this year, with night-time T20Is and post-Ramzan ODIs.
Regarding the PSL, the tournament currently spans 34 days with a restricted window from February 12 to March 10 due to Ramzan. The ILT20 is scheduled for January 13 to February 12 in 2024, and the PCB has approached the UAE board for a ten-day concession. Additionally, it is likely that the PCB may release its players to participate in the ILT20, as a compromise after initially denying NOCs (No Objection Certificates) for a group of Pakistani players in the inaugural edition of the league.
Furthermore, the PCB is contemplating the introduction of two additional franchises in the PSL, potentially extending the tournament’s duration by ten days. The PSL and finance departments are currently working on a proposal that includes the financial distribution model, scheduling, and commercial aspects. Their aim is to persuade the existing six teams to support the expansion, despite the challenges they may face, including the issue of the tournament window.
