Pakistan’s government has reportedly imposed a two-year ban on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from selling the rights to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and international media. The Cricket Managing Committee issued this directive as it initiated the bidding process for these rights.
The government’s Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (sports) issued a notification to the PCB, requiring them to seek government permission before finalizing any significant deals. This has disrupted the PCB’s plans, preventing them from releasing the schedule for the upcoming ninth edition of the PSL.
“The Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination (sports) government issued a notice, stating that moving forward, the CMC/PCB must obtain government permission before finalizing any significant deal,” a source revealed.
The PCB had anticipated significant earnings from the sale of rights, but the uncertainty now looms over whether the cricket board can secure favorable rates for media rights. Technical bids for the PSL broadcast were initially due by December 22, but a meeting between the Prime Minister and PCB’s Cricket Managing Committee (CMC) head Zaka Ashraf resulted in a delay.
The PCB informed potential bidders about the delay, moving the submission of technical bids to the beginning of January. They have postponed the bidding process for the broadcast and media rights for the PSL by two weeks.
