The Pakistan cricket board (PCB) feels that the expansion of the IPL to a “two-and-a-half month window” in the coming years will have a “negative effect” on international cricket. For their stance which has now been reported publicly, the PCB was heavily trolled on Twitter.
Soon after the IPL media rights for the 2023-27 was sold for astronomical figures, Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, said that the tournament, which now has 74 matches, will be extended to 84 and even 94 matches to be played across a two-and-half month period from the next ICC FTP calendar from 2024.
“That is an aspect we have worked upon. 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,” Jay Shah told PTI.
“We are having discussions with various stake-holders. There are also multiple proposals for all the IPL franchises of playing friendlies overseas. That idea is being seriously contemplated but for that we also need to speak to other boards as we would need to know the schedule of international players,” Shah added.
PCB to take matters with other boards in ICC meeting
Headed by former captain Ramiz Raja, the PCB is reportedly unhappy with the IPL’s expansion. They are expected to discuss this with other cricketing bodies as they believe this will hinder international cricket and will also bring this topic up in the next ICC board meeting in July.
For their reaction, the PCB was mocked and trolled heavily on Twitter, with some fans even suggesting that it’s a good thing for the Pakistan team as will then get to play plenty of cricket with weaker nations.
Here are some of the reactions:
. Dekho isme faydaa PCB ka hai. You will get to play with Zimbabwe,Ireland,Afghanistan and other B teams of Top Cricketing nations.
All their top cricketers will be in IPL offcourse.
Babar Imaam and all these jihaadis will become heroes by heavily scoring against minnows.— Saurabh (@Saurabh44543772) June 15, 2022
Only PCB will get infected…but they can always plays series with their favs Zimbabwe at that time also other teams …whose players are not part of IPL
— Gurpal singh (@gurpals007) June 15, 2022
Pcb after hearing 2.5 months ipl pic.twitter.com/RGEoPwv1Qs
— Ab.Hi.Sh.Ek (@short_forward) June 15, 2022
Kyun PCB apna beizzati karwa raha hai. Koi nahin ayega discussion karne main ..
— Srikant M (@SrikantM15) June 15, 2022
PCB chairman ramiz raja in ICC meeting doing protest for canceling IPL window and Allow international cricket but icc kicking as* and throwing out peeeeeeeecb
— Zeel Patel (@ZeelPat50517718) June 15, 2022
Jay Shah also assured that the BCCI is committed to international cricket and playing teams other than Australia and England on regular basis.
“Indian cricket will remain strong as long as world cricket remains strong – let me assure you of this. The BCCI is committed to international cricket. And it’s not just about India versus Australia or India versus England marquee series, we are committed to playing even the smaller nations. All bilateral international commitments across all formats will be honoured,” Shah added.
