Mohsin Naqvi's PCB Part Ways With PSL, Landmark Decision Announced

PCB announces historic PSL decision [Source: AFP]

Pakistan Cricket Board started the PSL with the intention of competing with the IPL, but 11 years later, things have gone downhill, as the league has been marred by controversies and payment disputes, and the quality of cricket has declined with each passing year.

What started as a landmark league, with the intention of providing the best quality cricket for its fans, PSL has become an afterthought, and PCB has come under scrutiny for failing to take the league to the next level.

After years of being scrutinised, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi came up with a historic decision, which could change the fortunes of the PSL in the next few years.

Mohsin Naqvi takes historic decision to improve PSL

Mohsin Naqvi-led panel approved a landmark restructuring of the PSL, granting the league full administrative and financial autonomy. The huge decision was taken during PCB’s meeting in Lahore on Monday.

According to reports, the decision was unanimously taken by Naqvi as the PSL is set to have a different governance. Till now, the league was managed by the PCB, but now things will change.

Interestingly, despite approving the audit, PCB has yet to release the financial reports of the last two PSL seasons. The Pakistan Cricket Board also approved the budget for PSL 12, which commences next year; however, the exact amount was not disclosed.

Significant increase in players remuneration

In another historic decision taken during the PCB meeting in Lahore, the Chief Financial Officer also presented the budget allocation for the upcoming fiscal year, and they also increased the domestic cricket budget by 1 billion PKR.

The board also revealed the increase in remuneration for the players. The match fee for the players participating in Quaid-e-Azam has been tripled from 30,000 to 1,00,000. Also the match fee for the reserve players has increased from 15,000 to 50,000.

Money allocated to improve stadiums in Pakistan

Significant funds were also allocated for organising the Women’s ODI and T20I games, and at the same time, funds have been approved to make 12 cricket grounds operational.

Also Read: PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi Flexes Muscles For Pakistan's Record-Breaking Achievements

6.70 billion rupees were also kept aside for the upgradation of the infrastructure, including Karachi’s National Stadium. The Pakistan Cricket grounds have come under scrutiny for their infrastructure, and the PCB now plans to upgrade them. Moreover, the minimum wage for regional ground staff has also increased to 42000 rupees.

PSL 2026 marred with controversies

The PSL 2026 was supposed to challenge the IPL in viewership, but at the start of PSL, it was decided that fans won’t be allowed to attend the games due to fuel shortage in the country.

This decision was met with criticism, and moreover, only two venues were decided to host the PSL 11 season, with Karachi and Lahore getting the matches, and this hampered the revenue of the other franchises as well.

Eventually, after a lot of criticism, fans were allowed to attend the knockout PSL 2026 matches, as the league was marred by numerous controversies.

Also Read: India Women's Squad For Asian Games 2026 Announced; BCCI Makes 1 Big Change