The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has voiced worry about the growing number of T20 leagues vying for calendar space and has written to the ICC proposing the formation of a working group to assess the impact of franchise cricket on international cricket.

In a letter to the ICC earlier this month, the PCB highlighted its concerns, proposing that the ICC CEO lead the working group and deliver a report in three months. One of the PCB’s main worries is that Pakistan would miss out on the opportunity to play international cricket during the IPL’s extended schedule.

Two Other Boards Have Also Raised Similar Concerns According to The PCB

One particular agenda Pakistan will have during the [ICC AGM] meeting is the domestic T20 leagues. We are a little concerned that the proliferation of domestic leagues around the world is sucking time out of the international calendar. There are new leagues that are evolving in two to three months. We want this to be discussed and form a proper strategy,” PCB CEO Faisal Hasnain said.

Hasnain said that the PCB has written to the ICC to convey its concerns, and it is believed that the ICC has placed the matter on the agenda for the July AGM. The PCB also said that two additional boards had similar issues. The PCB claimed in their letter that it was the ICC’s responsibility to provide fairness and equal opportunity for its members.

The PCB is particularly concerned about the IPL window because its players have not participated in the world’s largest T20 league since 2008. Additionally, while India and Pakistan play each other at ICC and ACC events, they have not contested a bilateral series since 2012-13 due to strained political relations between the two countries.

If the IPL window is prolonged in the upcoming FTP, Pakistan would be unable to play top-tier teams during that time, while the other boards get compensated to some extent by collecting a share of their players’ IPL wages. The PCB encouraged the ICC to develop a strategy that would assist boards in making up the money lost due to a window dedicated to T20 competitions during the peak season.

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