Franchises in conflict over signing star cricketers

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 is set to take place from April 8 to May 19, according to official sources.

New PCB CEO Salman Naseer has initiated a series of online meetings to establish his presence and ensure smooth planning. The player draft is scheduled for January 11.

The PCB aims to invite star players who remain unsold in the Indian Premier League (IPL) to participate in the PSL. However, concerns persist regarding the league's pay structure, which caps player salaries at $200,000. Both the PCB and some franchises fear that this limit may deter high-profile international stars from joining the league.

While the idea of direct contracts was previously rejected by franchises, the PCB is now considering allowing teams to negotiate with players' agents directly. Sources indicate that several agents have already reached out to franchises, inquiring about potential deals. However, some teams oppose bypassing the draft and insist that all major players should be part of it.

If direct negotiations proceed, they may lead to conflicts among franchises. For instance, if one team offers a player $400,000 and another bids $500,000, the player is likely to choose the higher offer. This could lead to dissatisfaction among players drafted under the $200,000 cap, including Pakistani stars.

PSL officials are optimistic about securing the services of international stars such as David Warner, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, and Jonny Bairstow. Shoaib Khalid, the PCB's Manager of Player Acquisition, had resigned for academic reasons but has since been convinced to work part-time. Khalid has reportedly contacted several star players, including Warner, to gauge their interest in the league.

The PCB and franchises are navigating a delicate balance between attracting top talent and maintaining a fair system for all players. Further updates on foreign player recruitment and league preparations are expected in the coming weeks.

It is worth mentioning here that, the registration window for foreign players to register themselves for the tournament along with the trade window is now open.

The category renewals of the players will be announced on Tuesday, 17 December.

The relegation process and retention of players will be carried out during the ongoing month.

The HBL PSL Players' Draft is scheduled to take place on 11 January, 2025. The venue and time for the draft will be announced in due course.

Since 2016, Islamabad United have become champions of the HBL PSL thrice, which include the opening (2016), third (2018) and last edition (2024) of the league. Lahore Qalandars have won twice in 2022 and 2023, Peshawar Zalmi remained champions of the 2017 edition. Quetta Gladiators won the 2019 edition, while Karachi Kings clinched their maiden title in 2020. Multan Sultans emerged as the winners in 2021.