The Pakistani government has reportedly banned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from selling the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and international media rights for two years.
The government’s directive came as the Cricket Management Committee began an invitation to bid process to sell the PSL and international cricket media rights. The development also prevented PCB from releasing its schedule for the upcoming ninth edition of PSL.
A reliable source told PTI on Sunday, December 24:
“The government’s Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination (Sports) has issued a notification to the board clarifying that from now on, the CMC/PCB will have to seek permission from the government before signing any major deal.”
The notification prevents the PCB from continuing normal daily functions. The PCB was expecting to earn approximately PKR 8-9 billion from the sale of PSL and international media rights.
According to reports, 7-8 bids related to the league’s operations were put on hold following the mandate. At the same time, there is uncertainty as to whether the cricket board will be able to sell the media rights at good prices.
According to ESPNCricinfo, technical bids for the PSL broadcast were scheduled to be submitted by December 22, but after a meeting between the Prime Minister and Cricket Management Committee (CMC) Chairman Zakka Ashraf at the PCB, the PCB informed potential bidders that the process would be delayed. Bidding for the broadcast and media rights for the PSL has been postponed for two weeks until the beginning of January.
PCB’s Zakka Ashraf postpones his scheduled visit to Australia due to PSL decision and international media rights
Zakka Ashraf had postponed his visit to Australia after these developments. He will meet Pakistan’s interim Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar, who is also the main patron of the PCB, to resolve the issue related to media rights.
The notification, which requires key decisions to be approved by the board, is seen as a vote of no confidence in Ashraf, whose term was recently extended by three months until February 4, 2024. The CMC has been asked to conduct elections and form the regional federations. Board of Governors to elect a new Chairman of PCB.
The PCB has seen a slew of bosses over the past few years. Since Ehsan Mani (August 2018 – August 2021), the Cricket Board has welcomed three new presidents, none of them lasting long.
They include Rameez Raja (September 2021 – December 2022), Najam Sethi (December 2022 – June 2023), and Zakka Ashraf (July 2023 – February 4, 2024*).