Franchise owners perplexed with slow preparations for PSL 2024 - Reports

PSL 2024 which is the ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) might not start on time. The season is scheduled to begin in Lahore on February 17, 2024. All six squads are confirmed.

However, there are concerns regarding the preparations for the start of the tournament which is keeping the franchise owners tense, as per Cricket Pakistan. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly working at a slow pace which is why the owners are worried about whether the season will start on time.

The instability in the PCB is cited as the reason, with the ticket sales plan yet to be revealed as well. There are doubts over matters related to the opening ceremony, ticket sales, and other matters. However, the broadcast rights are finalized. No advertising campaign has been launched. There are further doubts about whether famous Pakistani singer and actor Ali Zafar will do the opening ceremony of the league.

Among the other problems involve sponsorship deals. None of the teams have yet unveiled their jerseys. Previously, most teams relied on surrogate advertising, but government restrictions have limited options. Matters related to who will have control over decision-making in the league from the PSL are also not decided. The decision-making power is expected to be between PSL Director Sohaib Sheikh, League Commissioner Naila Bhatti, or COO Salman Naseer.

Meanwhile, the decision of Zaka Ashraf to vacate his chair as the PCB Chairman also has had implications in the league. Ashraf decided to vacate his post after Pakistan’s loss to Australia in the recently concluded Test series Down Under.

There are reports that the PSL work has slow progress under Zaka Ashrag. PCB officials were willing to have Najam Sethi back as the Chairman but it did not happen. Meanwhile, the Pakistan PM Imran Khan was recently sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment. He nominated Mohsin Naqvi to the governing board just days before his arrest.

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PSL 2024 To Kickstart From February 17

On February 6, the interim chairman and election commissioner Shah Khawar will oversee the selection of the new head who is likely to be Mohsin Naqvi. Shah Khawar and Salman Nasir left for Bali, Indonesia for the ACC meeting, both will come to the office on Friday.

There are reports that the opening ceremony might be held at a lower scale. The budget set this year for the inauguration is 20 crores as opposed to 33 crores last year. There are further reports that more than one franchise is opposing Ali Zafar singing the PSL anthem because of past cases of harassment against him.

Multiple franchises feel that the progress of work related to PSL 9 is extremely slow. There are further reports that the absence of renowned international players in this year’s PSL might cause harm to its reputation. However, there is a belief within the management that once the season starts everything will fall into place.

The event will commence on February 17 in Lahore, with the Lahore Qalandars being the reigning champions. Pakistan Super League teams will assemble on February 12, with practice sessions lasting until the 16th of February, and matches will begin the following day.

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