KARACHI:
Just a day after Bangladesh’s postponement of their scheduled tour left many fans disappointed, there was respite, albeit on a much lower level, when the second edition of the Pakistan Champions League was launched in Karachi.
Offering a winning prize of $20,000, the 32-team tournament starts on May 20 and will feature at least four international clubs — Canada’s Berry Cricket Club, UAE’s Sharjah Cricket Club, Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Cricket Association and Afghanistan Youth Cricket Club.
Local teams from Karachi, Quetta, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Fata, Hyderabad, Dadu, Burewala, Sialkot, Peshawar, Rahim Yar Khan, Abbottabad, Faisalabad and Multan will also take part.
The runners-up will pocket $10,000 while the losing semi-finalists will receive $2,000 each. All matches will be played at the Rashid Latif Cricket Academy (RLCA) grounds in Korangi and Gulberg with matches on the former being shown on TV as well.
Latif hopes PCL proves to be a succes
The brains behind the event, former captain Rashid Latif, rued the late development on the Bangladesh tour but hoped that the PCL will prove to be a success story.
“The idea behind this tournament is to play a little part in helping Pakistan cricket and that’s why international clubs have been invited,” said Latif.
“I’m sure this event will leave a huge impact and all those people who think Pakistan cannot host international matches safely, will have to think again.”
He added that if he can get financial backing on a bigger level, teams containing some international stars can be called to take part in this event as well.
Work on PPL, Latif tells the PCB
Meanwhile, Latif, following the disappointment on the Bangladesh front, urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to turn their focus to the Pakistan Premier League (PPL) instead of running after international teams to tour.
“The PCB should splash out a handsome amount of money. That way, the foreign players won’t be able to turn down PPL,” added the former captain before saying that the board needs to make that Twenty20 event its top priority.
According to him, the participation of players who are approaching the end of their careers will send out positive vibes.
“By successful hosting the PPL, the PCB will give nations the biggest proof that Pakistan is ready to host international events.”
PCL to help return of international cricket
Meanwhile, MQM’s minister for youth affairs Faisal Sabzwari, while addressing a press conference at the launch of the event, said that PCL will pave the way for return of international cricket to Pakistan.
“Through this event, we want to send a message to the world that we are a peace-loving country,” he said.
“This will not only help the return of international cricket to Pakistan but will also promote cricket.”
He also revealed that the organisers were in talks with clubs from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in order to include them before the event begins.
“For the first time in our history, international clubs will be part of a local event and that will certainly send a positive signal across the world.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 21st, 2012.
COMMENTS (27)
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@Pakistani:agreed 100%
All Foreign club teams are to stay at pearl continental probably a highly luxurious 5 star hotel........... all the expense of their trips and entertainment for all teams would be responsibility of Kcca it is decided each team would get a sponsor ................. every stadium where matches are going to be played are improved and capacity of crowd has been increased.......... they are working day and night to just entertain u people ! we should only be thankful to Allah to see cricket back in Pakistan ........................ its a great honour ........ and a great experience for youngsters to play with foreign players...... just- w8, watch ,pray, and ,hope for a bright future dont be mean.............
It will turn out to be another ICL
ASSALAM O ALIKUM LEFT ARM SPIN BOWLER WASIF AHMED SIDDIQUI BEST 7/21
Rashid Latiff deserves commendation for being the mastermind behind PCL which would sow the seeds for the materialization of return of International cricket to Pakistan.The foreign teams that scheduled to come to Pakistan to participate in the Pakistan cricket league has the potential to attract the leading International cricketers to take part in the proposed Pakistan Premier League,which in turn will eventually result in Foreign National Teams consenting to tour Pakistan..However, to get the leading foreign players to participate in the PPL dividends offered need to be alluring.They play for money.It has become their profession.
Rashid Bhai, excellent work..it is going to provide good cricket entertainment to Pakistani public. Money is not the only motivator for players, every player would like to test himself with other competitive players. I pray for peace from Allah All Mighty.
*ten times better than BPL
my bad
O cmon guys, this is a small unofficial club tournament NOT ORGANIZED BY PCB, NOT BEING PLAYED AT ANY OF OUR INTERNATIONAL GROUNDS.... This is being organized by our ex legend cricketer Rashid Latif and the matches are going to be played at the Rashid Latif Academy Ground... So take a chill pill... In other news if the Security situation remains alright,fingers crossed then we will have the Pakistan Premier League soon...which is going to be huge!!! ofcourse not even close to IPL due to IPL's mass audience and revenue... But INSHALLAH it is going to be 10 times better than IPL....
I m from afghanistan and i m living in pakistan ,pakistan is very pieceful country and hope and telling to everyone to come and play cricket in pakistan bangladish is our islamic brother and he isnt come to play here
Wow some of the people are here just to complain and then there are our sincere Indian friends who just love to mock no matter what, but fail to understand that this is on club level, unlike BPL or IPL. Many foreign clubs would play just for experience and in return ppl will get some entertainment. So grow up!!!
I think they should reduce the number of teams. 32 teams, are you kidding me? Raise the level of quality rather than the quantity.
@nasir: My sons school league offers more then that !
if you want International cricket to return to Pakistan then get rid of the Mullah who Zia and ZAB created and empowered
@Shyam:
the air ticket will be paid by organisers obviously
@Hammad the prisemoney is in dollars people, you guys are making laughing stock yourselves, 20,000 dollars translates to 16 lakhs
Will it cover the travelling expenses of even one team? Lets see... each players return airfare will be atleast one lakh if he travels from Canada to Pakistan. There will be atleast 20 people in one team including the manager, doctor, physiotherapist, coach, assistants etc.
So thats 20 lakh plus other expenses which will approximately double this amount. Maybe the teams will be thrilled if they win 16 lakhs
PCB will have to use a name other than 'Pakistan Premier League' since there is already a football 'Pakistan Premier League' in this country since 2003-04 by the PFF.
the prisemoney is in dollars people, you guys are making laughing stock yourselves, 20,000 dollars translates to 16 lakhs
thats really sounds great, i wish to call more international clubs to increase the level of cricket and bring some verity along by gaining intrest of people not only in Pakistan but all over the world
I have my doubts but BEST OF LUCK
@Pinto: You are a rich developed country with widespread prosperity and zero poverty or hunger you can afford to give away millions in IPL etc. We are poor and can only pay what is according to our needs. That is what you wanted to hear? Whatever makes you sleep at night my man.
a 32 team tournament.. and the winning prize money - 20,000 lol , the runners-up gets 2,000 each and the finalists 10,000 and this for the whole team !!... i am sorry but frankly speaking neither this tournament would still convince intl teams to return to pakistan nor it will be threat to other cricket league tournaments... if u wnt intl crickets then u should atleast pay like Australian big bash if of not like IPL...
I thoght other country are insulting pak cricket.but now they insulting themselves.ha ha ha ........look at prize money 20000,10000,2000
Wow that's a great new. Matches should b played in Every International Stadium of Pakistan not like Bangladesh. May Allah Give us Success.Aameen
Wow Rashid Bahi Zindabad.. What a man he is..great to see..this is what you call spirit. I wish this tournament a big big success..ameen
wow...this sounds GRAND! if administrated well it can face a threat to other leagues in the region.