If the conflict with the Punjab government is not resolved, the PSL may be relocated to Rawalpindi or Lahore

If the conflict with the Punjab government is not resolved, the PSL may be relocated to Rawalpindi or Lahore

The cost of security for the PSL games in Lahore and Rawalpindi has been the subject of a financial dispute between the PCB and the Punjab caretaker administration. If no decision is made by the PCB by Saturday about the status of the PSL games still being played in Punjab state, the league would be moved to Karachi, in the province of Sindh, starting on February 28.

According to reports, the government generated a PKR 450 million invoice for the security preparations the administration made. According to the government, the cost was originally estimated to be Rs. 900 million, but after revision, the government agreed to share half of the cost and asked PCB to cover the other half.

The PCB is adamantly opposed to paying, contending that the provincial government has the authority to provide protection.

Friday’s meeting between a team from the Punjab government and PCB chairman Najam Sethi at the Gaddafi Stadium ended without a decision being made. The PCB has now set the Saturday deadline so that the board can reschedule the event to begin on Tuesday because neither side has changed its stance. The Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi have already arrived in Lahore, and the TV production equipment is already being built at Gaddafi Stadium, thus the PCB cannot afford to postpone the league immediately.

In the worst-case scenario, PCB has a backup plan to play two games in Lahore on Sunday and Monday before travelling to Karachi if the Punjab government decides not to host PSL due to a cost disagreement.

The PCB informed the government that it had paid around PKR 700 million in provincial taxes due to PSL games being played in Punjab. According to the PCB, governments “pay fees to host sports events due to the positive economic activity generated as a result.”

Since there have never been prior requests for additional contributions of this nature, it is known that the government’s demand is unusual. When it comes to games in Karachi, the Sindh government just demands payment for the catering for the security officers and does not demand the PCB to contribute to the costs of protection. According to estimates, the price will be around PKR 30 million, and the PCB has already handed over PKR 50 million to Punjab.

Since there have never been prior requests for additional contributions of this nature, it is known that the government’s demand is unusual. When it comes to games in Karachi, the Sindh government just demands payment for the catering for the security officers and does not demand the PCB to contribute to the costs of protection. According to estimates, the price will be around PKR 30 million, and the PCB has already handed over PKR 50 million to Punjab.

The PSL’s first 12 games have been played in Multan and Karachi. Lahore currently has nine matches scheduled, while Rawalpindi is set to host a total of 11 games. The event’s leg in Multan is finished.

Three women’s “festival games” are also scheduled for Rawalpindi on March 8, 10, and 11 in the middle of the PSL. These games will include both domestic and international players as the PCB tests the concept before launching a full-fledged women’s T20 league in the future.

Now, the first game in Lahore is planned for February 26. Following that, the Rawalpindi leg will begin on March 1. Lahore will host the semifinals and final, which will take place on March 19.

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