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The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is one of the most popular T20 leagues in the world. The tournament, which was first held in 2016, has become a mainstay of the cricketing calendar and attracts some of the best players from around the globe. The ninth edition of the PSL is set to take place from February 17 to March 17, 2024, with matches scheduled to be held in four cities – Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan.
The opening ceremony and some matches are proposed to be held in Lahore, while the final will be played in Karachi. However, sources have revealed that finalizing the schedule has been challenging due to doubleheaders. The decision was made before Ramadan, but the board faces difficulties as the stadium in Karachi doesn’t fill up during a single match, and they think that it will remain almost empty during doubleheaders. Further deliberation is ongoing regarding this matter, and after reaching a definitive result, the schedule will be issued promptly.
On the other hand, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently increased the budget for franchises by 8 crore rupees for the ninth edition’s draft. Each team could spend 35 crores rupees to buy players. This decision was made without considering the team owners’ input on this matter. While this move is likely to attract more high-profile players to the league, it has also raised concerns among the franchise owners, who fear that it could lead to overspending and financial instability.
Interestingly, there was no action on the suggestion to make contracts with Pakistani players in rupees instead of dollars. Franchises also opposed raising objections to avoid players’ dissatisfaction. This decision has been met with mixed reactions, with some commentators arguing that it could lead to a disparity in pay between Pakistani players and their foreign counterparts.
Despite these challenges, the PSL remains one of the most exciting events on the cricketing calendar and is sure to attract fans from around the world. With some of the best players from around the globe set to participate, the ninth edition of the PSL promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with fans eagerly anticipating the start of the tournament. While there are still some issues to be resolved, the PCB and the franchise owners are working hard to ensure that the tournament is a success, and cricket fans around the world are sure to be tuning in to see how it all unfolds.
