PSL vs IPL again: Pakistan league sticks to March-May window for second straight season

For the second year in a row, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will coincide with the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed the 11th edition of the PSL will be held from March 26 to May 3 next year.

The scheduling means the PSL will again fall directly within the IPL's usual window, which typically runs from late March to the end of May.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced the dates during a PSL roadshow in New York on Sunday. He also acknowledged that the schedule would require adjustments to Pakistan's international cricket commitments during that time, specifically mentioning the proposed tour of Bangladesh. That tour, which includes two World Test Championship Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is originally planned for March and April, will be rescheduled to accommodate the PSL.

Last season's PSL was also held during the March-May window, primarily because Pakistan was hosting the Champions Trophy. For its first nine seasons, the PSL took place in February and March, a period that generally worked well for international scheduling and player availability. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. the ICC T20 World Cup will now occupy that February-March slot next year, as it will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka, leaving the PCB with fewer options.

Since its inception in 2016, the PSL has expanded across Pakistan and the UAE, gaining prominence despite competition from other leagues. Naqvi also announced that an auction for two new PSL teams will be held on January 8, demonstrating the league's ambition to grow even as it deals with scheduling challenges.