
In a strategic move, the PCB is considering the postponement of the home series against West Indies, originally scheduled to commence in February 2024. The primary motive behind this decision is to create a window of opportunity for the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which coincides with the planned series.
Under the leadership of Najam Sethi, the PCB management has also reached out to the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), urging them to make adjustments to the upcoming International League T20 (ILT20) to avoid any scheduling conflicts with the PSL.
The ICC’s Future Tour Programmes (FTP) had previously outlined Pakistan’s hosting of West Indies for two Test matches and three ODIs in early 2024. However, reports indicate that the PCB is now exploring options to safeguard the PSL, even considering the sacrifice of the home series. Discussions with various stakeholders are underway to determine the fate of the bilateral series and the future of the next edition of the PSL.
If the series is rescheduled after the conclusion of the PSL, it could potentially lead to several West Indies cricketers opting out due to a direct clash with the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). A similar situation occurred in 2023 when many players were unavailable for selection during New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan in April and May, citing their commitments to the IPL. This predicament could have financial implications, as the absence of star players from the visiting team may affect revenue generation.