The opening match of the 2024 season of the Pakistan Super League will coincide with the final of the ILT20 for the UAE, a scheduling conflict that will provide problems for franchises in both leagues.
A number of international players are due to feature in both leagues and may miss the start of the PSL or the final stage of the ILT20, depending on the terms of their contracts and the franchise’s progress.
The PCB launched the PSL fixtures on Friday, with the finals of the tournament scheduled for March 18. The qualifiers will be played in Karachi for the first time since 2020, which will host all 11 matches. Lahore (nine games), Rawalpindi (nine) and Multan (five) will also play stage games, but neither Quetta nor Peshawar will.
Zaka Ashraf, chairman of the PCB management committee, said: “The decision to host the marquee event in these cities is a testament to our commitment to bring quality cricket to fans across the country. We believe that hosting games in these venues not only adds excitement to fans but also improves cricket at the grassroots level.”
The PCB recently approved a new broadcast deal for the 2024 and 2025 editions of the PSL and reported a 113% increase in the value of live broadcast rights and a 45% increase in the value of broadcasting rights. “It is an unprecedented moment as the values of both rights are incomparable,” said Ashraf. “This is a testament to the growth of the HBL PSL brand.”
The board also announced that the Women’s National T20 Championship will begin on Monday, January 15 and will feature six regional teams: Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta and Rawalpindi. The final will be played on January 31, venue to be announced.
These 16-player squads were selected by the national women’s selection committee. “The National Women’s T20 Tournament 2024 is active [as] a good opportunity for players to apply for the national team before the busy international year,” said the PCB in a press release, as the Asian World Cup and T20 will continue in September-October.
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