Fawad Sarwar says PSL-IPL clash doesn’t bother him

He vows to upgrade Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad

KARACHI:

The new PSL franchise Hyderabad has appointed Jason Gillespie as head coach, with Craig White and Grant Bradburn as assistant coaches.

In an exclusive interview with Express Tribune from Dallas, USA, team owner Fawad Sarwar said that the inclusion of foreign coaches will greatly benefit the players.

Answering a question about the captaincy, he said: “No player, whether Pakistani or foreign, has any inherent right to leadership simply because he is a big name or senior player. We have our own selection process, and after due consultation, we’ll decide. A captain can be anyone — the key is to be a good leader. Whoever fits that profile will get the role.”

Fawad Sarwar further said that Babar Azam is his favorite cricketer, and if the opportunity arises, he would love to include him in his team.

“Of course, every team would want him. For now, we haven’t thought about any other players. We’ll make decisions once we know which players have been retained by their current franchises.”

He praised PCB’s move to introduce an auction system, saying: “There couldn’t have been a better step. The chairman and management made a great decision. We were the only group that initially pushed for this idea, and eventually, others joined in. This is how it works in all major sports worldwide. Auctions benefit both players and team owners. A performing player gets what he deserves, and players know they have to work harder if they’re entering the auction.”

He added that he already has several names in mind for direct signings, but discussions are still ongoing and he cannot reveal any names yet.

“Even if the Team Cost 2 Billion, I Would Have Bought It”

Fawad Sarwar said that even if the PSL team had cost 2 billion rupees, he would still have bought it:

“I’m passionate about cricket, and my love for the game has only grown with time. Our team was already involved in cricket activities in the US — we even toured Australia. When the opportunity came to own a PSL team, we decided to go for it, and thankfully, we succeeded.”

He said PCB did great roadshows before the franchise sale, creating momentum, but his group had already planned to buy a team.

“We did our homework before bidding. We knew roughly how high the bids might go. My instructions to my team were clear: there should be no limit, the winning bid must be ours. Even if it went above 2 billion, we wouldn’t back out.”

“Whether in dollars or rupees, a large sum is still a large sum. My philosophy is that if you’re buying something valuable and you know how to use it well, then money shouldn’t be the issue.”

He said that the team’s full name and logo have already been decided and will be launched soon, likely around the auction date.

“We’re planning a big event for the launch.”

“Better to Discuss Financial Model Later — Can Run the Team Without Financial Burden”

Fawad Sarwar said: “It’s better to talk about the financial model later — right now everyone’s focused on the auction. I don’t want to comment prematurely.”

He added that while investors naturally think about returns, sports franchises aren’t run for short-term profit.

“A cricket franchise is a value-based asset, like real estate or a brand that grows in worth over time. Our current cricket operations are already profitable, so we can run this PSL franchise without any financial strain.”

“The PSL salary cap should be significantly higher, otherwise challenges will keep coming. The PCB did well by increasing it slightly this time. If you don’t recognize your own product’s value, how can you expect sponsors and broadcasters to pay more?”

Fawad Sarwar said that if PCB ever plans to hold matches in the US, he will offer full support: “We acquired Musa Stadium in Houston last year and are upgrading it to international standards, with floodlights and increased spectator capacity. We’re also working on broadcasting technology. Additionally, we’re developing two more stadiums at different US locations, currently in the design and permit stages.”

Niaz Stadium upgrade

“I’m originally from Hyderabad, and that’s why we chose this name. My siblings and I were born and raised there. When I learned that we could name the team after any city, I immediately decided on Hyderabad.”

“When we spoke to the PCB, our first question was whether we could work on upgrading Niaz Stadium. The response was positive, so we moved forward. PCB has assured full support, and we’ll begin work soon.”

“The PSL-IPL date clash doesn’t bother me. My interest is in the PSL. Even if another event is happening at the same time, it doesn’t affect us. Like TV shows and films, cricket leagues have their own following.”

Fawad Sarwar said that their US-based teams already include players from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, West Indies, and South Africa.

“We’ll try to include those who fit our PSL criteria. The final say will be with the coaches, but I’d love to see our US-based players get PSL opportunities.”

“We take great care of our players — financially and mentally. They face no burden related to money or healthcare. This helps them focus purely on performance and training. We have excellent nutritionists and trainers, and we use modern technology effectively. Fans will notice the difference in the PSL.”

“I’ve heard people say some people are upset about players leaving teams after many years. But that’s how sports work — when a new team joins, things start fresh. Personally, I’m happy with PCB’s decision, but I believe it would’ve been better if there were no retentions at all, starting from zero. No player has a permanent claim just because he’s been around for 10 years.”