Reports: PCB to discuss with other boards regarding IPL window for ICC's next FTP calendar

As per the latest developements, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wants to discuss with other cricketing boards regarding the dedicated two-and-a-half-month window for the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the next ICC FTP calendar. The Pakistan board has opined that the dedicated timeline of IPL will hamper other international series.

PCB’s reaction came just one day after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah said that BCCI will be getting a “two and a half month window” for the IPL in International Cricket Council’s (ICC) next FTP cycle starting from 2024 till 2031. Shah also stated that the Indian board has already held discussions with other cricketing boards as well as with the ICC.

PCB will discuss the matter during the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham

The Pakistan Board feels that the matter needs discussion. “The ICC board meeting will be held during the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July and this matter will probably be discussed there,” a PCB source was quoted as saying by NDTV.

The official also stated that the PCB was happy to see the money coming into cricket, but the Indian board’s plans to book the prominent international cricketers for the IPL in every edition could hamper international series and competitions.

“Mr. Jay Shah has said the BCCI is committed to international bilateral cricket but with so many leagues cropping up and the IPL planning expansion this has to be discussed among the cricket boards,” the PCB official added.

It must be noted that the Pakistani players haven’t participate in the IPL since 2008 amid the political tensions between the two nations. However, the like of  Salman Butt, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Kamran Akmal, and Sohail Tanvir featured in the inaugural editon of the competition.

Both national teams have also not met in any bilateral series since 2013 and are only locking horns in multi-nation tournaments like Asia Cup and World Cup.