LAHORE: While the next general elections in the country are set for Feb 8, 2024, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) insists there is no change so far in the dates of the next HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) which is originally scheduled to be held from Feb 8 to March 24, Dawn has learnt.

When contacted, the PCB spokesman said that still there was no change in the PSL dates while adding that a final decision in this regard would be taken after a meeting with the franchises.

“No date for a meeting with the franchises is fixed but hopefully it will be held next week as the players’ auction is set for Dec 15,” said the PCB spokesman.

It may be mentioned here that earlier the PCB had planned to shift the next edition of the PSL to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) because of the 2024 general elections in the country, which then were expected to be held in December 2023 or January 2024.

However after the government set the date of Feb 8 for the elections, the PCB had not taken any decision regarding change in PSL dates or venue shift.

Meanwhile, the PCB upgraded nine players’ categories for the next edition of the PSL.

“Nine players had their categories upgraded following the local player category renewal process for the upcoming edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League. The Pakistan Cricket Board earlier opened a registration window for foreign players as well. The flagship event is tentatively scheduled for Feb 8 to March 24, 2024,” said a PCB press release issued on Friday.

“Naseem Shah and Iftikhar Ahmed, both Quetta Gladiators players, have been upgraded from Diamond to Platinum. Sarfraz Ahmed has been moved to Diamond from Gold. Peshawar Zalmi wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Haris has been shifted to Diamond from Gold as well. Pace bowler Salman Irshad has moved to Gold from Silver. Multan Sultans fast bowlers Abbas Afridi and Ihsanullah have both been promoted to the Gold category, after playing as Emerging picks last year,” read the release.

“Islamabad United wicket-keeper-batter Azam Khan and pace all-rounder Faheem Ashraf have also been upgraded from Gold to Diamond category. Zeeshan Zamir has moved from Emerging to Silver, while Mubasir Khan has moved from Emerging to Gold. Karachi Kings’ Tayyab Tahir has moved from Silver to Gold, while Qasim Akram has been upgraded to Gold from Emerging. Lahore Qalandars’ Kamran Ghulam and Zaman Khan have been enhanced to Gold from silver and Emerging, respectively.

“Some players have been demoted. The changes include Mohammad Nawaz (Quetta, Platinum to Diamond), Mohammad Hasnain (Quetta, Diamond to Gold), Haider Ali (Karachi, Platinum to Gold) and Asif Ali (Islamabad, Platinum to Diamond). Players who have represented Pakistan internationally cannot be relegated below the Gold category,’ the PCB press release added.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2023