PCB gearing up to launch Pakistan Super League

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board is all set to start the bidding process for the sale of franchises, broadcasting media rights and other merchandising for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) from September.

"We are planning to officially launch the league sometime in September," an official of the board told PTI.

The PCB is planning to hold its inaugural league in Doha, Qatar next February with five franchises.

The official confirmed that the secretariat set up for the PSL had already started working and was in touch with agents of leading players to sign up for the league.

"The secretariat after signing up around 25 overseas players will also finalise a list of around 75 Pakistani players including the centrally contracted players for the auction process of players for the PSL," he said.

The official confirmed that it had been decided to pay the players in three categories $1,00,000 for the A category, $60,000 for B category and $40,000 for the third category.

"What is important is that the Pakistani players, including domestic cricketers will also be paid the same amount and categorised as the overseas players," he disclosed.

"Each franchise will be allowed to have a 16-member squad including four to five overseas players while the rest will be Pakistani players. We are hoping that around 60 Pakistani players will benefit financially from the league," he added.

The official also said that the PCB was waiting for a final confirmation from the officials in Qatar before they sign a formal agreement. And the venues will be announced formally at the PSL launch ceremony in September.

He virtually ruled out the venues in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, stating the Emirates cricket board was adamant to hold the Masters League also in February.

The official said normally when an affiliated unit of the ICC holds an event, the world body issues a letter to all its member boards asking them to release their players for the event.

"We are still waiting to see when the ICC will issue such a letter, which is the practice for all events held by affiliated units," he said.

Another source said the letter would basically confirm if the Masters League is a recognised event by the ICC or not.