PSL teams to deal with top players
The proposal for direct contracts between PSL franchises and foreign stars has emerged, allowing teams to negotiate directly with international players for potential signings.
According to the details, matters appear to be at a standstill ahead of the tenth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Franchises have yet to receive their revenue share from the ninth edition due to unpaid dues from key stakeholders.
Besides, the triangular series scheduled outside the Future Tours Program (FTP) and the Champions Trophy may disrupt the 2025 PSL edition's dates.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed a possible window from April 10 to May 25, with final dates to be confirmed within this period. However, the potential overlap with the IPL could cause issues such as the unavailability of key players and a possible reduction in revenue.
Sources have revealed that the board is considering granting franchises the authority to negotiate directly with major players. Each team will have the opportunity to sign 1 to 2 marquee players, potentially offering them higher salary than usual to attract more star talent to the Pakistani league. The PCB will also contribute a portion of the payment.
This year, $500,000 was allocated from the broadcast deal for this purpose, and a similar arrangement is planned for next year. However, player availability remains uncertain, particularly regarding those not participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL). A few months ago, the PCB discussed with other boards about player availability, but no firm commitments have been made since.
The board has been requested to assess the potential impact on media and commercial deals if the PSL clashes with the IPL. Interestingly, neither the PCB nor the franchises are willing to accept responsibility for scheduling the PSL during IPL dates.
Recently, when franchises raised this issue via email, the board responded by stating that the scheduling decision was made jointly by the teams. However, the franchises dispute this claim, arguing that they were not given a choice. Initially, they were informed that the PSL would take place in October or November, but this was later denied.
Following that, discussions shifted to holding the matches in June or July, despite the extreme heat in the country during that period. The board also considered holding the playoff matches in England, but the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has since apologized for being unable to accommodate this request.
Rizwan's Markhors take on Shadab's Panthers today
All roads in Faisalabad will lead to Iqbal Stadium on Thursday afternoon, where the star-studded UMT (University of Management and Technology) Markhors (previously Wolves) will face off against the Panthers in the opening match of the Champions One-Day Cup. The match will commence at 3pm, with live coverage on national sports channels, live-streaming in Pakistan will be available on Tamasha, Tapmad and myco and broadcast in North America on Willow TV.
Mohammad Rizwan will captain the UMT Markhors, with Misbah-ul-Haq serving as their mentor, while the Panthers will be led by Shadab Khan, with Saqlain Mushtaq as their mentor. The season-opening event boasts a total prize pool of PKR49 million, with the tournament winner on September 29 set to take home PKR30 million and the runner-up receiving PKR15 million.
On Friday, Mohammad Haris' Allied Bank Stallions will clash with Shaheen Shah Afridi's Nurpur Lions, followed by Saturday's fixture between Saud Shakeel's Dolphins and Shadab Khan's Panthers.
White-ball head coach Gary Kirsten will be in Faisalabad to observe the 50-over tournament, which will be played on a single-round basis. Later in the competition, red-ball coach Jason Gillespie will also join Kirsten in Faisalabad.
MARKHORS: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Abdul Samad, Akif Javed, Ali Usman, Bismillah Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haseebullah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Faizan, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Sarwar Afridi, Muhammad Imran, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani and Zahid Mehmood
Mentor – Misbah ul Haq
PANTHERS: Shadab Khan (captain), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Ahmed Bashir, Amad Butt, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Umar, Mohammad Zeeshan, Mubasir Khan, Rizwan Mehmood, Saim Ayub, Umar Siddiq, Usama Mir and Usman Khan
Mentor – Saqlain Mushtaq.