PCB readies measures to curb corruption in PSL3

Board proposes curfew, monitoring of players to franchise owners

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi presided over a meeting with the six franchise owners of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Monday and proposed a number of anti-corruption measures to avoid any kind of fixing in the third edition of the league scheduled to take place in February 2018.

According to sources, PCB proposed that no official would be allowed to stay on the same floor of the hotel as the players of the six franchises. Meanwhile, if the owners of the teams want to meet the players, they’ll have to do so in the meeting rooms.

PCB also proposed a curfew on players after 1am. They will not be allowed to leave the hotel after the postulated time. Even during the non-curfew hours, they will have to inform their team managers before the leaving the hotel.

In response to the suggestions, questions were raised on the point of curfew. It was said that players who are involved in misdoings will be able to meet anyone during the evening, so there was no need of the curfew.

The PCB was asked to augment its own security measures and keep an eye on suspected players; however, this was not enough to convince the board to remove the notion of curfew from the third edition.

PCB disagrees with franchises over T10 reservations

PSL franchises have forwarded their reservations on the participation of Pakistani players in the T10 cricket league which is scheduled to take place in Dubai in December this year.

According to sources, PSL franchise owners said that participation in short-format cricket makes the players prone to misdemeanor, so Pakistani players should not be allowed to be a part of the T10 league.

However, Sethi rejected their demand and clarified that PCB and ICC officials will be present in the event which nearly nullifies the chances of any misdeeds.

Three matches in Pakistan

Franchise owners were also given the proposed schedule for the third edition, according to which only three matches will be staged in Pakistan.

The matches include two play-offs in Lahore and the final in Karachi.

No joint talent hunt program

PCB also moved the franchises to work on a joint talent hunt program, but the idea was shot down by the owners.

Franchises said that the PCB had tried the idea before, but it didn’t work out so they will be organising the talent hunt programs themselves.