Pakistan Super League: Draft pick order decided, logo launched

Islamabad wins first pick followed by Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and Lahore

Islamabad won the first pick on Tuesday in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) players’ draft followed by Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and Lahore.

All team owners finding out their draft pick order for round 1 now! #HBLPSL #AbKhelKeDikha pic.twitter.com/qnNFSNJ3aM

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 15, 2015

Round 1 draft pick order thru ballot: Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Lahore #BaariLagGayi #HBLPSL

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 15, 2015

The five team owners gathered for the second day of the workshop to be briefed about the details of the lucrative league which will be played in the UAE from February 4 till 23.

Here you gooo!!!! Full Pakistan Super League (PSL) draft pick order #TeamQuetta #PSL Cheer for Quetta Gladiators pic.twitter.com/GfJjpis9G6

— Quetta Gladiators (@TeamQuetta) December 15, 2015

Meanwhile, PSL’s logo launch ceremony also took place on Tuesday. The logo has now incorporated the title sponsor Habib Bank Limited (HBL) insignia in it.

https://twitter.com/thePSLt20/status/676709052928434176

Speaking on the occasion, HBL Chief Marketing Officer Naveed Asghar said that this is the opportunity to make a mark in the world and as a country we ought to benefit from this league.

Mr Naveed Asghar resonates hope and optimism and remarks,"This is our opportunity to make a mark". #HBLPSL

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 15, 2015

"At the end of the day, we as a country ought to benefit from this", expresses Mr Naveed Asghar. #HBLPSL

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 15, 2015

PSL chief Najam Sethi said it was an honour to partner with HBL as sponsors for the league.

"I'm honored to be partnering to be with Habib Bank on this auspicious occasion", expresses @najamsethi. #HBLPSL

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 15, 2015

PSL brand ambassador Ramiz Raja was also present in the ceremony. He said that the league provides the country with an opportunity to showcase sporting and management talent.

"A great platform to showcase Pakistan's sporting and management talent all around the world", expresses Rameez Raja. #HBLPSL

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 15, 2015

Here's presenting a sneak peek from the Logo Launch Ceremony. #HBLPSL pic.twitter.com/aq4fqK3rqF

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 15, 2015

Team owners of #Lahore & #Karachi in good spirits at the #HBLPSL logo launch! #AbKhelKeDikha pic.twitter.com/KDtLDEmNR4

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 15, 2015

PSL franchises unhappy with govt’s tax-tics

PSL franchise owners expressed their unhappiness at the 26% tax levied on their final bids, conveying their reservations to the PSL governing council.

All franchises who have accounts in Pakistan will have to pay 10% income tax along with a 16% goods and services tax to the Punjab government due to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) headquarters being in Lahore; inflating expenses further for these new clubs.

While a loophole allows the franchise owners to receive exemption from these taxes if they register a company in the UAE, the respective companies have asked the PSL governing council and the PCB to take up the issue on their behalf and see if any exemption can be received.

“PSL officials contacted Finance Minister Ishaq Dar regarding an exemption for the first five years due to the project being in its infancy but the proposal was turned down,” a PSL official told The Express Tribune. “We hope they revisit the decision because it could have serious consequences on the PSL.”

Icon players revealed

Pakistan all-rounders Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik, along with West Indies opener Chris Gayle, England middle-order batsman Kevin Pietersen and Australian all-rounder Shane Watson have been selected as the five icon players.

The teams will buy one icon player each, who will be fetching $200,000.

The five icons will be followed by 25 players in the Platinum category, who will be receiving $140,000.

The other categories are Diamond ($70,000), Gold ($50,000), Silver ($25,000) and Emerging ($10,000).



The players who are not selected in their current categories will be demoted a step down, so any Platinum player left will automatically become a Diamond player and will then cost $70,000.