PSL franchises object to T10 league idea

Some feel shortened format will affect their flagship T20 league

KARACHI: Several Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises are not particularly thrilled with the idea of the new T10 Cricket League, set to be launched in Sharjah in December this year.

As evident by its name, the revolutionary new format will see the allotted overs for each team reduced to 10, with the entire match to be completed in just 90 minutes.

But the concoction — which will feature some of world cricket's biggest stars including Shahid Afridi, Kumar Sangakkara, Eoin Morgan, Virender Sehwag, Misbahul Haq and Shakibal Hasan —  has not gone down well with some PSL franchises, who feel the mini league has the potential of damaging their flagship T20 league's brand.

“The market of United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be damaged for PSL as many will be attracted to this new league, which is being held for the first time and at the same venue,” a franchise official told The Express Tribune.

“If big stars will be playing in the shorter format, the business will be affected during the PSL,” said the official, adding that they intend to raise the issue with PCB Chairman Najam Sethi.

But Sethi, earlier this week, had already thrown his weight behind the T10 idea, promising them the PCB's support, provided that it is beneficial for all stakeholders.

Meanwhile, Salman Iqbal, the T10 league president and also the owner of PSL franchise Karachi Kings, believes the 10-over-a-side tournament will only add to cricket's overall growth, just like the T20 format has.

“Everyone has been playing this [10-over] format on streets like T20, so this T10 league will add more fire to cricket and give more enjoyment to the people,” he claimed.