PCB has issues with IPL's 2.5-month long window in ICC FTP calendar, wants discussion

Source: Twitter

The Indian Premier League's brand is growing as the cash-rich league made history with a record sale of its media rights, for digital as well as television. Soon after the deal was through, BCCI secretary, in an interview to PTI, he said IPL will have a two and a half month window from next FTP cycle. "Let me inform you that from the next ICC FTP calendar, IPL will have an official two-and-a-half month window so that all the top international cricketers can participate. We have had discussions with various boards as well as the ICC," Shah had said. 

Taking note of the statement, PCB has now become active and they have shown their displeasure to the increase for IPL's window in FTP.  That is wht now want a discussion with other national cricket boards on the proposed dedicated two and half month window for IPL in ICC's next FTP calendar as they feel it could have an adverse effect on various international series. 

Viacom18 bags digital rights with its winning bid of Rs 23,758 cr. India has seen a digital revolution & the sector has endless potential. The digital landscape has changed the way cricket is watched. It has been a big factor in the growth of the game & the Digital India vision. — Jay Shah (@JayShah) June 14, 2022

"The ICC board meeting will be held during the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July and this matter will probably be discussed there," a PCB source said. The PCB official said that while the PCB was happy to see the money coming into cricket, however, the BCCI's plans to totally book the top international players for the IPL every year could have an adverse effect on international bilateral series. "Mr Jay Shah has said the BCCI is committed to international bilateral cricket but with so many leagues cropping up and the IPL planning expansion this has to be discussed among the cricket boards," the PCB official added.

Pakistani players have not been included in the IPL auctions after first edition since Mumbai terror attack in 2008. While several Pakistani cricketers took part in the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League, but since then, they have not been included to be part of the cash-rich league nor does the BCCI played any bilateral series with Pakistan due to the tense cross-border relationship.

Many cricket analysts and critics see the enormous money channelised into the IPL in the latest media rights as something that will eventually change the face of international cricket with the ongoing FTP calendar ending with the 2023 World Cup in India.

With inputs from PTI