PCB, ECB in contact for holding PSL matches in UK

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in consultation with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on the possibility of holding four key Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 matches at the Edgbaston, Birmingham and the Oval, London.

The News has learned that the PCB and PSL franchise owners are expected to hold an important meeting shortly to discuss the update on taking the PSL to the United Kingdom.

The PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi chaired a a high-level meeting Friday evening to discuss all the relevant issues pertaining to Pakistan’s domestic and international commitments in the coming season.

“The meeting with PSL franchise owners was scheduled over the weekend which was deferred for the time being. Different issues pertaining to the holding of the PSL 2025 are on cards which will be discussed with the owners in the next meeting to be held shortly,” a source privy to the meeting said.

The News has learned that matters regarding hosting one playoff, two eliminators, and the final in England are in the pipeline. “We are in contact with the ECB regarding taking the PSL to the UK. Two venues are being discussed, Edgbaston and the Oval. However, nothing has been finalised as yet. The PSL owners will be updated on the latest position shortly.”

The window for the forthcoming PSL under consideration is April and May 2025 almost the same dates when the IPL will be organised in India.

Meanwhile, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi directed all the relevant department officials to pull their socks to make the forthcoming national and international season memorable.

The forthcoming international and national season will be busiest ever, where Pakistan will host Champions Trophy, tri-nation and Test series, and numerous national tournaments. All the concerned were asked to start preparation to make the coming season memorable. The PCB Chairman has directed the heads to make an all-out effort to complete the preparations for international and national events well in time.

The meeting also discussed close coordination and filling the apparent missing link between national and international cricket in a special context with the domestic coaches’ performance. They were directed through the relevant heads to make a sizeable contribution to preparing and grooming the finishing crop for international cricket.

Every head of the department was given related tasks with clear instructions to work wholeheartedly to make a difference.