PSL clashes with IPL, PCB challenges BCCI by releasing the schedule.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has now completely decided to compete with the Board of Control for Cricket in India. We are saying this because the PCB has announced the schedule of the Pakistan Super League in the midst of the Champions Trophy. The biggest thing is that it has announced to organize the 10th edition of the PSL in the midst of IPL 2025. It will start on April 11, while the final match of the tournament is to be played on May 18. On the other hand, the IPL will start on March 22, while its final match will be played on May 25. Looking at this, it seems that the PCB has tried to challenge the BCCI with this schedule.
There will be 34 matches in the tournament
The first match of Pakistan Super League 2025 will be played between defending champions Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars in Rawalpindi. Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi have been selected as 4 venues this season, where 34 matches will be played. There will be 30 matches during the league stage. The qualifier will be played on May 13, Eliminator 1 on May 14 and Eliminator 2 on May 16. The final match of the tournament is to be held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Let us tell you that 11 matches will be played in Rawalpindi, which includes the first match of the tournament on May 13 and Qualifier 1. Whereas 13 matches will be played in Lahore, which includes two eliminators and one final match. Apart from this, Karachi and Multan have got the hosting of 5-5 matches. There will also be three double-headers this season.
PCB's challenge or compulsion?
Now the question is why is the Pakistani board doing this? Why is it trying to challenge the BCCI, when it is only causing loss to it. Actually, this is more of a compulsion for the PCB than a challenge. This is because the Champions Trophy is currently being organized, which will continue till March 9. Just before this tournament, it also hosted a triangular series. In such a situation, it has no other option left.
That is why it has to compete with IPL now. Let us tell you that usually Pakistan has always organized it between January and March, due to which some big players were able to play in it before IPL. But this time it will not be possible. Not only this, there can be a huge decrease in the number of people watching the Pakistani league on TV, which can also affect the earnings from broadcasting rights.
Pakistan Super League 2025 Schedule:
April 11 Islamabad United v Lahore Qalandars, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
April 12 Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium; Karachi Kings vs Multan Sultans, National Bank Stadium, Karachi
April 13 – Quetta Gladiators vs Lahore Qalandars, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
April 14 – Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
April 15 – Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars, National Bank Stadium, Karachi
April 16 – Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
April 18 – Karachi Kings vs Quetta Gladiators, National Bank Stadium, Karachi
April 19 – Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
April 20 – Karachi Kings vs Islamabad United, National Bank Stadium, Karachi
April 21 – Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi, National Bank Stadium, Karachi
April 22 – Multan Sultans vs Lahore Qalandars, Multan Cricket Stadium
April 23 – Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United, Multan Cricket Stadium
April 24 – Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
April 25 Quetta Gladiators vs Karachi Kings, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
April 26 Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
April 27 Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
April 29 Quetta Gladiators vs Multan Sultans, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
April 30 Lahore Qalandars vs Islamabad United, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
May 1 Multan Sultans v Karachi Kings, Multan Cricket Stadium; Lahore Qalandars v Quetta Gladiators, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
May 2 – Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
May 3 – Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
May 4 – Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
May 5 – Multan Sultans vs Peshawar Zalmi, Multan Cricket Stadium
May 7 – Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
8 May – Peshawar Zalmi vs Karachi Kings, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
May 9 – Peshawar Zalmi vs Lahore Qalandars, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
May 10 – Multan Sultans vs Quetta Gladiators, Multan Cricket Stadium; Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
13 May Qualifier 1, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
14 May Eliminator 1, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
16 May Eliminator 2, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
18 May Final, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore