PCB issues legal notice to Corbin Bosch over IPL contract
What's the story
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sent a legal notice to South African cricketer Corbin Bosch for an alleged breach of contractual obligations.
This comes after Bosch signed with Mumbai Indians for the Indian Premier League 2025 season, thus pulling out of Pakistan Super League 2025.
The move marks the first instance of concurrent scheduling between PSL and IPL, with the former running from April 11-May 18 and the latter from March 22-May 25.
Concerns
Bosch's shift raises concerns among PSL franchises
Bosch was initially picked by Peshawar Zalmi in the diamond category in the PSL draft in January.
However, on March 8, Mumbai Indians announced his inclusion as a replacement for injured Lizaad Williams.
This last-minute shift has alarmed PSL franchises of a trend of players jumping from PSL to IPL after signing contracts.
Informal talks have even hinted at an outright ban on such players.
PCB's statement
PCB demands explanation from Bosch
The PCB has sought an explanation from Bosch for his decision to withdraw from his professional and contractual commitments.
"The legal notice was served through his agent, and the player has been asked to justify his actions of withdrawing from his professional and contractual commitments," a PCB statement said.
The board added that it expects a response in a stipulated time but didn't reveal what it is.
Strategy
PCB's strategy to improve overseas player availability
Previously, the PCB had also tweaked the PSL window to improve the quality and availability of overseas players for selection.
This was because PSL was also held in February-March when it competed with SA20, ILT20, and BPL.
Last year, ESPNcricinfo reported holding the PSL draft after IPL auction was considered for better clarity about overseas players' availability for the league.
MI
IPL 2025: MI replace injured Lizaad Williams with Corbin Bosch
Mumbai Indians recently signed South African bowling all-rounder Bosch as a replacement for his compatriot Lizaad Williams.
The latter will miss the upcoming IPL 2025 due to a knee injury. This isn't Bosch's first IPL stint; he was previously signed by Rajasthan Royals as a net bowler and later as a replacement for Nathan Coulter-Nile.
Bosch was signed for his base price of ₹75 lakh.
Information
Decoding Bosch's stats in T20s
As per ESPNcricinfo, Bosch has scored 663 runs from 86 T20 matches (53 innings) at 18.41. He owns two fifties (SR: 113.33). With the ball, he has claimed 59 scalps from 74 innings at 32.66. He owns one four-fer.