Reportedly, a franchise owner of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has urged the PCB to reconsider the tournament schedule. The owner cited clashes with other cricket events as a reason for the withdrawal of international players from the PSL. The ninth edition of the PSL has encountered difficulties in securing the participation of international players due to restrictions imposed by various cricket boards. All six teams are grappling with significant challenges as players opt for alternative T20 leagues such as SA20 and the IPL over the PSL.
PSL 2024 Set to Commence on February 17 in Lahore
The PSL 2024 is scheduled to commence with a clash between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on February 17. The tournament will culminate with the final match at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on March 18.
Spanning across four cities - Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi, the 2024 season will feature a total of 34 matches. Karachi will serve as the host for 11 matches, including the Qualifier, two Eliminators, and the final. Lahore and Rawalpindi will each host nine matches, while Multan will host five matches in the T20 league.
Reece Topley's Participation in PSL 2024 Uncertain as ECB Withholds NOC
Multan Sultans' pick, English left-arm seamer Reece Topley, has been forced out of the upcoming PSL 2024 edition. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) refused to grant Topley a No Objection Certificate (NOC) due to concerns over his injury history.
Topley has encountered several injury setbacks throughout his career, including one prior to the 2022 T20 World Cup. With the forthcoming T20 World Cup scheduled in the Caribbean and the USA, the defending champions may consider including him in the squad if he fully recovers from his injury.
Several Overseas Players to Skip Tournament
Various cricket boards are reassessing their decisions on granting no-objection certificates for players to partake in the PSL. Lungi Ngidi from South Africa has withdrawn from Peshawar Zalmi, while Wanindu Hasaranga from Sri Lanka will not be representing Quetta Gladiators.
Notable omissions from the tournament include West Indian cricketers Shai Hope, Matthew Forde, and Akeal Hosein; South Africans Tabraiz Shamsi and Rassie van der Dussen; English batsman James Vince; and Afghan bowlers Noor Ahmed and Naveen ul Haq.
Franchise owner expresses concern over signing big players
A PSL franchise owner has called upon the PCB to reconsider the tournament schedule, citing challenges in securing top players. The owner also pointed out the scheduling clash with a packed international cricket calendar in January-February, featuring teams like Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the West Indies.
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