The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to discuss the planned two-and-a-half-month window for IPL in ICC's next FTP calendar with other Boards, citing that it will have a damaging effect on other international series.
SEE ALSO: “Quality all-rounder”, McGrath says Hardik doesn't need to be told by coaches what he needs to do
The Pakistan board's reaction came a day after BCCI secretary Jay Shah told PTI in an exclusive interview that the Indian board will be given a "two-and-a-half-month window" for the IPL in the ICC's next FTP cycle, which runs from 2024 to 2031.
"From the next FTP cycle, 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 told PTI.
The PCB believes that this is an issue that should be discussed.
"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 quoted as saying by PTI.
While the PCB was pleased to see money flowing into cricket, the official stated that the BCCI's aspirations to completely book the top international players for the IPL every year could have a negative impact 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.
Since the Mumbai terror attack in 2008, Pakistani players have been excluded from the IPL auctions.
While some Pakistani cricketers competed in the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League, they have not been invited back since, and the BCCI has not played any full-fledged bilateral series with Pakistan due to the tense cross-border relationship.
With the existing FTP calendar ending with the 2023 World Cup in India, many cricket analysts and critics consider the massive money channeled into the IPL in the recent media rights as something that will eventually change the face of international cricket.
(PTI INPUTS)
