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Financial tussle between Pakistan Cricket Board and Punjab government in Pakistan has put the smooth conduct of the Pakistan Super League under doubts. According to fresh reports, Punjab government has asked for PKR 450 million for hosting the remainder tournament in Lahore and Rawalpindi, which has triggered tussle between the parties.
Reportedly, all six franchises of the PSL are meeting the PCB office bearers on Friday to discuss the matter further. “The PCB has never paid such a huge security expense even when organizing the PSL in the United Arab Emirates. The PCB has the stance that since the PSL is a national brand, serving a huge national purpose, therefore the government should come out open heart for it,” DWAN quoted an anonymous source close to the development.
Meanwhile, PCB is reluctant to give in to the demands of the interim Punjab government as the board has already paid PKR 50 million, as per agreement with the previous regime. According to reports, the Sindh government does not require the PCB to pay a share of the security costs and has only asked for remuneration for catering to the security personnel, understood to be in the region of PKR 30 million.
Adding further, the franchises are reportedly not happy with the last-minute development as they might lose a revenue with matches shifting to a new venue, that is also expected to anger the cricket fans. The PCB had initially sorted out logistical considerations with the PTI’s provincial government in Punjab, with the government reportedly agreeing to pay all security costs.
The PCB has called an emergency PSL governing council meeting for Friday to discuss the various option of how to pay the additional cost to the interim Punjab government while also exploring the possibility of moving the remaining 20 matches from Punjab to Sindh and to discuss who will bear the additional cost of relocation.
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Notably, the first 12 matches of the PSL have taken place in Karachi and Multan. The first match in Lahore is scheduled to be held on February 26, with the first game in Rawalpindi to take place on March 1. The playoffs and final clash are scheduled to take place in Lahore.