PCB, PSL franchises again at odds

Team owners have issues over newly announced Junior League, accounts

KARACHI:

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises are at odds once again over two matters.

The relationship between the stakeholders improved after the new financial model was accepted. The threat of going to court was averted, but the disagreements have once again been flared over PSL-like Pakistan Junior League and delay in finalization of accounts.

According to sources, the announcement of Pakistan Junior League by the PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja was not well received by the franchise owners.

Owners have opined that holding other events with the PSL will damage the brand. They were also not taken into confidence while announcing Junior League.

Initially, it was decided to raise the concerns in the meeting with PCB chairman but now franchisees will send a joint letter. Previously, PCB supported a private league where a major sponsor bought a team while another sponsor also got associated.

Franchises believe that if the same happens in Junior League and many such events take place, the popularity of PSL will also decrease.

On the other hand, the board has not been able to finalise the accounts details of the fifth and sixth editions of PSL. Raja also stated that a single franchise has made a profit of Rs90 crore from the seventh edition but this was deemed incorrect by the franchise owners.

They opined that since accounts have not been finalized, how come one can know the details of receiving such a large amount of money.

Lahore Qalandars COO Sameen Rana was contacted on these matters from Dubai on which he said. "The proposal of Junior League was not well received by the owners. The reports of non-finalization of PSL 5 and 6 accounts are also correct. PCB will have to do something very soon."

Meanwhile, the PCB spokesperson has asked to revert after contacting concerned officials. The correspondent will soon publish PCB's position when the answers will be received.