IPL-bound players likely to face tough call as PCB could resume PSL in May: Report

[MenInG]

The 6th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) came to an abrupt stoppage after 7 COVID-19 cases were confirmed. A bio-bubble breach case was reported even before the start of the tournament and the number of COVID-19 continued to rise as the league progressed.

PSL 2021 could resume in May.

On Thursday (March 4), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took the call of postponing the league. In 2020 as well, PCB had to call off the second-round matches after Alex Hales showed COVID-19 symptoms. The foreign players will soon leave the country while those who are COVID-19 positive will be able to fly back home after testing negative.

Like 2020, the PCB hopes to stage the remainder of the fixtures this time as well. And as per a report, the league could resume in May, which could very see the tournament's fixture clashing with the second-round matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.

The BCCI hasn't announced the fixtures of the league but as per TOI, the tournament will kick off in the second week of April. The ongoing India-England series ends on March 28 and the Indian players are expected to be given much-needed rest, which could see the tournament starting in the second week only.

Should the fixtures extend till May, the IPL-bound players with PSL contracts will have to make the tough call. The likes of Faf du Plessis (Chennai Super Kings), Chris Gayle (Punjab Kings), Chris Lynn (Mumbai Indians), Imran Tahir (Chennai Super KIngs), Ben Cutting (Kolkata Knight Riders), Mohammad Nabi (Sunrisers Hyderabad) plied their trade in PSL 2021.

It will be interesting to see if they choose to play IPL or PSL if the situation arises. In 2020, PCB staged the second-round matches of PSL after IPL. du Plessis, Tahir and Sherfane Rutherford had landed in Pakistan after completing their IPL commitments.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...-as-pcb-could-resume-psl-in-may-report/728562

 

[Last Monetarist]

I'd be shocked if any IPL players forego that tournament to travel to Pakistan again. There's been a huge breach of trust and it will take a fair bit of time for the PCB to regain that goodwill.

 

[Energy]

Tabloid piece. ALL the IPL players will head the IPL.

 

[Savak]

I hope the PCB does not commit Harakiri and has the sense to choose the summers to finish the tournament

 

[Majid Khan]

Might as well postpone PSL 6 until 2023 now , in the hope that the pandemic is over by then and mass vaccination has taken place in Pakistan.

Bio secure bubbles in Pakistan just don’t work - can anyone imagine that kind of discipline and sacrifice by so many people at a big party event that the PSL has become !?

 

[Cricfan4eva]

I think players who have chance to break in to their national side for WT20 and are likely to be benched in IPL might prefer PSL over the monies.

 

[ex-q-zit]

I dont think PCB will resume it during the IPL. Broadcasters have a huge say in this. Sony is telecasting this in India and sky in UK. Considering that India and Pak have a time difference of just 30 mins there is a likelyhood of most matches starting within 30 mins of each other. the viewership of PSL will take a huge dent as IPL will be preferred by most viewers and cause a huge dent in ads for PSL telecasters. Hence broadcasters who would have shelled huge amount of money to buy the rights will not want to telecast it at a loss of revenue.

They most likely windows may be in June during the WTC. PSL will not ahve any competitor league at that time and can be hosted in that period.

 

[Suleiman]

Honest players with big hearts will play PSL instead, we all know this.

 

[Savak]

I dont think PCB will resume it during the IPL. Broadcasters have a huge say in this. Sony is telecasting this in India and sky in UK. Considering that India and Pak have a time difference of just 30 mins there is a likelyhood of most matches starting within 30 mins of each other. the viewership of PSL will take a huge dent as IPL will be preferred by most viewers and cause a huge dent in ads for PSL telecasters. Hence broadcasters who would have shelled huge amount of money to buy the rights will not want to telecast it at a loss of revenue.

They most likely windows may be in June during the WTC. PSL will not ahve any competitor league at that time and can be hosted in that period.

I agree, it is foolish to compete with the IPL and the PCB knows this. It is not just about broadcasters airing their concerns to the PCB but also foreign players with IPL contracts will refuse to play in the PSL over the IPL.

In fact in some ways, i am actually happy the PCB will get a chance to host a significant part of the PSL in June, regardless of what people say about the hot weather conditions in the sub-continent at the time, the PCB desperately needs a new window and holding it just before the IPL has hurt it because international players especially the top tier ones with IPL contracts will not want to risk injuries, burn out just before the IPL. I wan't the PCB to see how the PSL works out in the summers i.e. the months of June and July and if it works out great, then that should be the new window for the PSL.

 

[Gotham Cronie]

holding it just before the IPL has hurt it because international players especially the top tier ones with IPL contracts will not want to risk injuries, burn out just before the IPL.

Any examples of this?

 

[RajBan]

I dont think PCB will resume it during the IPL. Broadcasters have a huge say in this. Sony is telecasting this in India and sky in UK. Considering that India and Pak have a time difference of just 30 mins there is a likelyhood of most matches starting within 30 mins of each other. the viewership of PSL will take a huge dent as IPL will be preferred by most viewers and cause a huge dent in ads for PSL telecasters. Hence broadcasters who would have shelled huge amount of money to buy the rights will not want to telecast it at a loss of revenue.

They most likely windows may be in June during the WTC. PSL will not ahve any competitor league at that time and can be hosted in that period.

This actually makes sense. But isn't June the hottest month in Pakistan? That will be some challenge to play in that peak heat.

 

[ex-q-zit]

Honest players with big hearts will play PSL instead, we all know this.

Pray tell me how is it honesty if they choose PSL over IPL and dishonest if its vice versa. the players were contracted to play PSL in Feb-March and IPL in April-May. So by choosing IPL they will be on their schedule. Its not their mistake that PSL was postponed due to PCB's mishandling of the bubble. If PCB had done its job this question of choice wouldn't have arisen before the players.

 

[ex-q-zit]

This actually makes sense. But isn't June the hottest month in Pakistan? That will be some challenge to play in that peak heat.

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't March-May the peak summer with June being the start of the monsoon season? It would be hotter in May compared to June.

 

[Savak]

This actually makes sense. But isn't June the hottest month in Pakistan? That will be some challenge to play in that peak heat.

It gets more bearable at night time, i am assuming the vast majority of games will be at night rather than the day. I have seen the PCB hold domestic ODI and T-20 tournaments in May, June, July and the players have dealt with the warm conditions fine.

 

[Rafa]

So IPL bound players are going to choose PSL over IPL ? If PSL gets derailed again and again due to PCBs own incompetence, would the International players forever remain on PSLs roster to be called back again anytime and they shall even skip the IPL over PSL ? You have to be foolish to believe this will happen.

PCB will face the losses now. There's no chance of resuming PSL again without any damages in this year.

 

[jino]

I really wish Steyn had an IPL contract this year. It would be really interesting which league he would have opted. But again if he had the Ipl contract, I doubt he would have made those comparisons.

 

[pillionrider]

Gayle will most likely go IPL. The others - it depends on how often they get to play for their IPL sides. Don't follow closely anymore so not sure if the Lynns and Tahirs get games. But I remember Faf being in Dhoni's plans in the past, unless something has changed.

If you're a foreign player who doesn't consistently make your IPL playing XI, the smart thing to do would be to opt for the PSL. You will anyway most likely not be bought in future IPL options if you're not a regular player. But this one act will ensure at least 4 years of PSL contracts and even a future as a coach or an earning someone else

 

[Haripotter]

Players will choose PSL anyday over IPL after its rebranding

 

[Savak]

Gayle will most likely go IPL. The others - it depends on how often they get to play for their IPL sides. Don't follow closely anymore so not sure if the Lynns and Tahirs get games. But I remember Faf being in Dhoni's plans in the past, unless something has changed.

If you're a foreign player who doesn't consistently make your IPL playing XI, the smart thing to do would be to opt for the PSL. You will anyway most likely not be bought in future IPL options if you're not a regular player. But this one act will ensure at least 4 years of PSL contracts and even a future as a coach or an earning someone else

Not a good idea for the PCB from the broadcasting side of things, Most broadcasters when forced to choose b/w the PSL and IPL will go for the IPL which makes sense. Its like the major movie stars in Bollywood, they always consult and negotiate with each other on film release dates and push forward their respective release dates to accomodate each other.

 

[pillionrider]

Not a good idea for the PCB from the broadcasting side of things, Most broadcasters when forced to choose b/w the PSL and IPL will go for the IPL which makes sense. Its like the major movie stars in Bollywood, they always consult and negotiate with each other on film release dates and push forward their respective release dates to accomodate each other.

Online broadcasters is the choice then. Where you can have multiple series at the same time. Hotstar and Sonyliv do that here.

Anyway, in India the PSL was being shown on Sonyliv while IPL is on Hotstar.

 

[GenericBrand]

Serious geniuses at work in the PCB if they decide to go this route lol

 

[OMB]

Serious geniuses at work in the PCB if they decide to go this route lol

These are unconfirmed reports and everything is a conjecture at this stage. As some posters pointed out, broadcasters will have a major say

 

[dildilpak]

Why not have PSL co-inciding with WTC? With India qualifying for WTC finals Asia cup is bound to be postponed to 2023, so that slot is now freed up.

 

[KyoOne]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't March-May the peak summer with June being the start of the monsoon season? It would be hotter in May compared to June.

May-June are hottest across country. April is not even hot in Islamabad, we only start fans mid April.

Karachi would be the most reasonable place for matches, where temperature in evenings is always very pleasant in summers, especially with sea breeze around.

Gayle will most likely go IPL. The others - it depends on how often they get to play for their IPL sides. Don't follow closely anymore so not sure if the Lynns and Tahirs get games. But I remember Faf being in Dhoni's plans in the past, unless something has changed.

If you're a foreign player who doesn't consistently make your IPL playing XI, the smart thing to do would be to opt for the PSL. You will anyway most likely not be bought in future IPL options if you're not a regular player. But this one act will ensure at least 4 years of PSL contracts and even a future as a coach or an earning someone else

Yes, that's reasonable argument lol. I see Steyn getting coaching gigs in PSL for quite some time in future after his new found love with the league (and its local talents like Adam Khan/Hasan Ali)

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Del

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

I think players make themselves available for a particular period in a calendar. It is not their fault if that tournament keeps getting postponed.

 

[Hasan123]

The players who play in both leagues will probably pick the IPL because they were scheduled to play the IPL at this point of time anyway.

Most of the IPL players who play in the PSL are not guaranteed starters in the IPL.

 

[UzmanBeast]

The players who play in both leagues will probably pick the IPL because they were scheduled to play the IPL at this point of time anyway.

Most of the IPL players who play in the PSL are not guaranteed starters in the IPL.

If PCB was smart, they'd open up a mini-draft or something like that to tempt the IPL Unsold players to have a chance at signing up for the PSL which would take place around the same time.

Players who signed up for the IPL clearly expressed interest to play at that time of the year, so it makes certain that there could be some players there.

With the fiasco, it seems unlikely, but PCB should still try.

 

[Rana]

If PCB was smart, they'd open up a mini-draft or something like that to tempt the IPL Unsold players to have a chance at signing up for the PSL which would take place around the same time.

Players who signed up for the IPL clearly expressed interest to play at that time of the year, so it makes certain that there could be some players there.

With the fiasco, it seems unlikely, but PCB should still try.

They should try it behind closed doors

 

[Bewal Express]

They will no doubt go and who can blame them but there will be others that may become available and they could be picked.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

If you want Money you go to IPL.. If you are in a stage of your life where you have made lots of it and want some job satisfaction where you will get to play and not benched.. PSL. Steyn has sorted it our for everyone.

 

[hurricanes]

If PCB was smart, they'd open up a mini-draft or something like that to tempt the IPL Unsold players to have a chance at signing up for the PSL which would take place around the same time.

Players who signed up for the IPL clearly expressed interest to play at that time of the year, so it makes certain that there could be some players there.

With the fiasco, it seems unlikely, but PCB should still try.

That will invite a ban on anybody participating in PSL from ever putting their name up for IPL.

 

[ex-q-zit]

If you want Money you go to IPL.. If you are in a stage of your life where you have made lots of it and want some job satisfaction where you will get to play and not benched. PSL. Steyn has sorted it our for everyone.

Steyn was given enough chances by RCB last year but he failed miserably. Steyn failed in PSL too. He looks like a spent force and his comparison of IPL and PSL seemed like a classic case of sour grapes.

 

[mazkhan]

I dont see the fascination with white foreign has been players

Bengali and afghan players can be drafted in their place and a few windies players that are not at ipl.

There is enough young local talent in psl to make it a competitive tournament

I dont know why people are projecting that psl only exist because the likes of dan christian and wiese are playing both over the hill players in their own countries.

Apart from chris Gayle, nabi and imran tahir none of those mentioned players will be missed chris Lynn has been awful.

 

[Rana]

If you gave me a platform to watch Dahani v Haider Ali instead of Cummins v Stokes at the same time...





I would watch Dahani v Haider Ali any day again and again. Nothing beats the thrill of home grown talent competing against each other!
would go with

 

[moghul]

IPL discarded players can still make a decent number of some very sought after cricketers.

 

[Titan24]

Other than Mohammad Nabi’s batting almost all the players who were also selected in IPL as well were having a pretty ordinary time in PSL so far as they failed to created any impact so wont be that much of a miss.

- Faf Duplesis; averaged 23 in matches with hs of 34 and SR lf 130 odd

- Ben Cutting; averaged 9 in 5 matches with the bat while averaged 74 at an economy of 12.6 with ball),

Mujeeb ur Rehman; averaged 68 with the ball at an eco of 8.56

Chris Lynn; averaged 8 in 4 matches, benched for Shan Masood ),

Dan Christian; played few balls well at the end with bat while carried an economy of 10 odd with the ball.

They have all been pretty average to say the least.

Miller didnt play a match in the first half, Rashid Khan and Chris Gayle only played couple of matches.

So all in all dont think anyone of them missing out is gonna make much difference to PSL franchises. Some local players have been outperforming them by a huge margin, some other foreign players can be brought in and they might even perform better for their sides than this.

 

[ex-q-zit]

If you gave me a platform to watch Dahani v Haider Ali instead of Cummins v Stokes at the same time...





I would watch Dahani v Haider Ali any day again and again. Nothing beats the thrill of home grown talent competing against each other!
would go with

Then why bother having a separate PSL? You can just continue with the national t20 cup where dahanis bowl to haiders.

By having PSL youngsters get to share a dressing room with international players and learn from their experience and also it nullifies the awe factor when they go on to play at the international level. The reason indian youngsters like Sundar, Pant etc are succeeding is because they play with and against big names in IPL and when they come to international stage they are no longer under pressure of big names which helps them play their natural game.

 

[UzmanBeast]

They should try it behind closed doors

Closed doors, open doors don't matter in Pakistan. They'll get COVID either way.

 

[UzmanBeast]

That will invite a ban on anybody participating in PSL from ever putting their name up for IPL.

You misinterpreted what I said.

I'm saying that the PSL should give the chance to players who were not selected by IPL teams but still signed up for the auction such as Adil Rashid, Sam Billings, etc.

I'm not saying that they should invite XYZ players who are already selected in IPL squads to play PSL.

 

[Indiafan]

If you want Money you go to IPL.. If you are in a stage of your life where you have made lots of it and want some job satisfaction where you will get to play and not benched.. PSL. Steyn has sorted it our for everyone.

Yes Steyn is the spokesprapen for every single cricketer in the world. And the 100s of players who consider IPL better for job satisfaction and level of cricket don't count

 

[rhony]

Other than Mohammad Nabi’s batting almost all the players who were also selected in IPL as well were having a pretty ordinary time in PSL so far as they failed to created any impact so wont be that much of a miss.

- Faf Duplesis; averaged 23 in matches with hs of 34 and SR lf 130 odd

- Ben Cutting; averaged 9 in 5 matches with the bat while averaged 74 at an economy of 12.6 with ball),

Mujeeb ur Rehman; averaged 68 with the ball at an eco of 8.56

Chris Lynn; averaged 8 in 4 matches, benched for Shan Masood ),

Dan Christian; played few balls well at the end with bat while carried an economy of 10 odd with the ball.

They have all been pretty average to say the least.

Miller didnt play a match in the first half, Rashid Khan and Chris Gayle only played couple of matches.

So all in all dont think anyone of them missing out is gonna make much difference to PSL franchises. Some local players have been outperforming them by a huge margin, some other foreign players can be brought in and they might even perform better for their sides than this.

That's why talent management in important. IPL teams know how to maximize the available talent. Yes there's plenty of talent with stars sitting on the bench sometimes. Also if one doesn't perform well they won't be part of that team usually. Steve Smith was kicked out from being a captain to no contract in RR.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Yes Steyn is the spokesprapen for every single cricketer in the world. And the 100s of players who consider IPL better for job satisfaction and level of cricket don't count

Yes for the washed up ones he is.

 

[hitthestump]

The absolute mess the PCB has gotten themselves in is ridiculous.

If PSL ends up happening at the same time as IPL nobody of note will play and nobody will be watching. It will become even more of a laughing stock than it already is post covid cancellation.

 

[Oxfordchamp]

The absolute mess the PCB has gotten themselves in is ridiculous.

If PSL ends up happening at the same time as IPL nobody of note will play and nobody will be watching. It will become even more of a laughing stock than it already is post covid cancellation.

Agree..hope the PCB CEO is not dumb enough to hold it same time as IPL