The fifth edition of the season is expected to be played in February next year

The fifth season of Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Pakistan Super League has hit a stumbling block after some foreign cricketers have refused to stay in Pakistan for a long period of time.

According to sources, franchises want to hold half season of next year’s HBL PSL5 in United Arab Emirates (UAE), since they feel that it is currently not feasible to hold the entire edition in Pakistan.

‘Entire season of HBL PSL in Pakistan is not practical’

While speaking to Daily Express correspondent on this matter, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani insisted that there are no concerns regarding hosting the entire HBL PSL in Pakistan.

“I took the approval of PCB’s Patron-in-Chief regarding holding entire HBL PSL in Pakistan, after consulting with all the franchise owners,” said Mani. “I have invited team owners for a meeting next week on Monday in Lahore, where this matter would be discussed again.”

“Till now, no franchise has shown any reservations, so there is no possibility of shifting the matches anywhere else,” he added.

Mani also clarified the PCB’s stance regarding allowing the Multan Sultans to participate in the fourth season of HBL PSL without depositing franchise fee.

“Multan Sultans were not given any preferential treatment with regards to their agreement with the Board,” he said. “Sultans are in compliance of their franchise agreement."

The PCB Chairman refrained from further commenting on this matter as he said it is not possible to share other details of the agreement.