Franchises want separate board for PSL

Nadeem Omar concerned about risks involved in holding the league in April

The franchise owners of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) have called for the establishment of an independent board to manage the league’s affairs.

According to a media report, Nadeem Omar, chairman of the Quetta Gladiators, has been vocal about the need for a distinct PSL board, arguing that the issues faced by the PSL are different from those of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Omar emphasized that a separate board with its own chairman and administration would be able to address issues more efficiently. He explained that the current setup requires them to communicate with Salman Naseer due to the busy schedule of PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, which he believes hinders direct and effective problem-solving.

“If we have a separate chairman for the PSL, we can discuss issues directly and resolve them more quickly,” Omar stated.

The schedule for the upcoming PSL season had to be adjusted to accommodate the Champions Trophy. Next year, the PSL will overlap with the Indian Premier League (IPL), raising concerns that foreign players might prioritize the IPL over the PSL. Omar mentioned that they had previously suggested to the cricket board that the PSL could be held without foreign players if necessary.

Omar also expressed concerns about the risks involved in holding the league in April next year, stating that they had no choice as no other window was available.

“We had to take this risk because there was no available window after April,” he said.

Regarding the Champions Trophy, Omar believes that a strong performance by Pakistan will enhance the value of the PSL. He reflected on the early years of the PSL, noting that players were highly enthusiastic during the first four editions, but he feels that this enthusiasm has diminished in recent seasons.

“Players were very committed in the first four editions, but now they don’t seem to play with the same passion,” he concluded.