Sethi assures PSL ‘firmly on track’
Tournament head clears the air as media reports issues with franchises
REASSURANCE: PSL chairman Najam Sethi has assured everyone that the third edition will take place as per the schedule forwarded by the management without any postponement. PHOTO COURTESY: PSL
Amid speculative media reports about the upcoming third edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the head of the tournament Najam Sethi clarified in a tweet on Saturday that the event will take place as per the announced schedule.
Several publications, on Saturday, reported that the PSL administration was facing financial problems leading to the organisation of the tournament from February 22 due to non-payment of dues by five out of the six franchises before the November deadline.
Moreover, they claimed that the management is perusing options to generate the remaining amount, between Rs5-6 million, to pay the initial dues for the tournament which will take place in the UAE before returning to Pakistan for last three matches — two eliminators in Lahore and the landmark final in Karachi.
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According to reports, franchises also had issues with the pre-tournament promotion by the PSL management, which the former believe was dull and resulted in them not being to land a title sponsor for their teams.
However, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Sethi tweeted out an affirming message, putting to bed all the rumours regarding the marquee domestic T20 tournament of Pakistan.
He wrote: “#PSL3 is firmly on track. First match in Dubai on 22nd Feb and Final in Karachi on 25th March. Promo campaign about to kick off.”
When contacted, a PCB source close to the matter confirmed to The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity that, “some franchises haven’t cleared their dues, whereas they are likely to do it before the start of the tournament”.
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The addition of the sixth team, Multan Sultans, in the third edition of the PSL resulted in increased number of matches, now 34, which will see the tournament stretch past one month.
Also, the addition of a sixth team means that more international stars would be able to become a part of Pakistan’s premier domestic T20 tournament.
The first match will take place between new entrants and Shoaib Malik-led Multan Sultans and second edition winners Darren Sammy-led Peshawar Zalmi. The first match will be preceded by an opening ceremony.