PCB to conduct meeting on launching T20 event

Board to conduct feasibility study of IPL-like venture.

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf has said that a two-day meeting will be held beginning on March 23 to examine the modules of the Twenty20 events in Bangladesh and India as the country conducts a feasibility study of staging such an event.

For a long time, the PCB has tried arranging the Pakistan Premier League T20 event but practical steps in the direction have not been taken. However, Ashraf said that the meeting will be the first concrete step in Pakistan launching their own lucrative league which will enable international players become part of the event.

“The meeting will be carried with the main purpose of studying the two successful leagues and propose our own realistic model,” Ashraf told The Express Tribune. “This would include the decision on the number of teams and international players allowed per side, keeping in mind that not many stars can travel here.

“Players and officials who’ve been part of the Indian Premier League and the Bangladesh Premier League could be called upon for their input later.”

Ashraf said the board will discuss the pros and cons of launching the venture and seek a window for the event.

He said that the board has received keen interest from different parties who are willing to be a part of the project.

Meanwhile, Ashraf said that he will travel to Bangladesh before the Pakistan-India showdown on March 18. However, the PCB chairman said that the decision to whether go ahead with their proposed tour to Pakistan was theirs.

“We have given them assurances that the same security will be provided to their team which was given to their delegation. Now it’s upto them to decide the fate of the series.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2012.