The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wants to hold the next Pakistan Super League (PSL 2025) at the same time as IPL 2025. Recently, PSL franchises reportedly rejected a plan that would let them sign top players directly.
The upcoming PSL can’t happen in its usual February-March time because of the ICC Champions Trophy and other international matches in Pakistan. The tournament is also facing issues with star players being available due to schedule conflicts with the IPL.
The PCB suggested a possible time frame for the PSL 2025 season from April 10 to May 25 with final dates to be confirmed soon.
The cricket board is thinking about letting PSL franchises negotiate directly with star players, allowing each team to sign one or two major players.
A sports journalist mentioned that the PSL franchises have turned down the idea of directly signing star players. Saleem Khaliq noted that this direct signing would limit the number of star cricketers available. He also said that discussions about English players will happen with the ECB chief during their visit to Pakistan.
“PSL franchises have rejected the proposal for direct signings with star players due to the unappealing list of available cricketers. The draft will now be held in the last week of December or early January. Discussions regarding the participation of English cricketers will take place with the ECB chief during their tour of Pakistan” Saleem Khaliq wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
According to a report by the Telegraph the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is planning to stop players from joining franchise leagues because they are worried about losing talent during the domestic season. The ECB might limit domestic players from playing in overseas leagues, except for the IPL.
