In view of prioritizing its home-grown Pakistan Super League (PSL), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is on the verge to postpone their home series against West Indies that was scheduled to take place between January and February 2024. The itinerary of the series will likely clash with the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) that is scheduled to take place in the same time frame.
Apart from postponing the West Indies series, PCB has also approached the organizers of the International League T20 (ILT20) and the Emirates Cricket Board to pull back their league ten days to avoid overlapping with PSL.
The West Indies and Pakistan are scheduled to play 2 Tests and 3 T20Is early next year. Notably, it has been the window for PSL since 2016. As per the last governing council meeting of the PCB, Pakistan will be ready to sacrifice the West Indies home series to fit in the Pakistan Super League (PSL)
Pakistan Super League Will Take Place from Feb 12-March 10
The PCB will pose severe challenges to the host West Indies after the PSL. The PSL window is restricted from February 12 to March 10. Pakistan will likely have to host West Indies in April which marks the IPL season and the unavailability of key Caribbean players. If Pakistan decides to conduct Test games during IPL, it will pose a serious threat as it will be Ramzan month when all the players will be fasting.
Meanwhile, the PCB has also requested the ILT20 organizers to give a 10-day concession for hosting PSL. ILT20 is scheduled to take place from January 13 to February 12 and a 10-day shortening will help PCB to sign contract deals with players as they sign a deal and fly to Pakistan with a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
It will now be interesting to find out the call taken by the PCB. The decision will be announced soon.
