Sameen Rana, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Lahore Qalandars, two-time Pakistan Super League (PSL) champions, discussed the scheduling adjustments for the upcoming PSL 10 due to the 2025 Champions Trophy, scheduled for February-March.
For the first time, the PSL will not take place in its usual time frame, requiring officials to move the tournament to earlier dates.
“Because of the Champions Trophy, the PSL will not happen in its traditional slot this time, so the dates will be moved up,” said Rana in an interview.
He expressed his enthusiasm for the ICC event being hosted in Pakistan and wished for its success, anticipating the chance to watch star players from all eight teams perform on home soil.
For the first time, the PSL will overlap with the IPL, presenting both challenges and opportunities. Players not involved in the IPL will be available for a longer period without conflicting tournaments.
“The upcoming PSL edition overlapping with the IPL presents a unique challenge,” said Rana. “This overlap provides a new experience, as no other cricket events will occur during that period, allowing us to have access to players not part of the IPL for an extended time.”
Rana also highlighted the potential benefits of having a better list of players for direct signings, noting that if non-IPL players are readily available, it reduces the competitive advantage.
“A more comprehensive list for direct signings would be beneficial. If non-IPL players are easily accessible, the advantage for teams decreases,” he noted.
Rana also addressed the recent discussions about possibly holding the PSL 10 playoffs in England, expressing concerns over moving the matches abroad after the efforts made to bring PSL fully back to Pakistan.
“We have worked hard to bring the PSL to Pakistan, making considerable sacrifices to ensure international cricket thrives here. Our security forces and fans have been instrumental in making this possible,” Rana remarked.
Before considering moving the playoffs abroad, he stressed the importance of understanding the potential benefits of such a move.
“If the advantages of holding the playoffs overseas are clear, we would be open to supporting the idea,” he concluded.
