Pakistan league could clash with IPL

Organisers undeterred as tentative itinerary formed.


Our Correspondent October 29, 2012

KARACHI: The Pakistan Premier League (PPL) is likely to clash with the Indian version of the Twenty20 competition as the country’s cricket board made a tentative schedule of its inaugural event.

According to an official close to the working committee of the PPL, the opening and closing ceremonies have been set for March 25 and April 10 next year respectively.  If the event goes ahead as per the tentative schedule, the knockout stages are certain to clash with the Indian Premier League (IPL) that starts from April 3.

However, the official hoped the PCB will not be on the losing end due to the clash with the multi-star IPL.

“We didn’t have much choice,” the official told The Express Tribune. “The window after the South Africa tour is the only period available as per the Future Tour Programme.”

South Africa cricket board refused to reschedule the dates for the Pakistan series, which includes three Tests, five One-Day Internationals and two Twenty20s between February 1 and March 24, 2013.

However, the official said the discussions were made with the broadcasters and sponsors during the PPL committee’s visit to Dubai along with PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf.

“Broadcasters and sponsors have not shown any reservations. They have given a thumbs-up to the schedule. Only a few matches are coinciding. The IPL will stretch for nearly two months and the clash will not create much problems for us.

“Even if the leagues have common stars, they will just miss one or two IPL matches. We are now keeping our fingers crossed.”

The PCB is targeting 30 international cricketers, including five ‘super stars’ for each of team in the league.

Meanwhile, the official added that PCB was receiving a warm response from leading firms of the country and from abroad.

He said the PCB will take services of leading auditing firms to make the process of selling franchises.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30th, 2012.

COMMENTS (4)

Hindu Indian | 11 years ago | Reply

@salman ahmed: You dont have to pay to hope ;)

salman ahmed | 11 years ago | Reply

thumbs upp..lets hope PPL will be a big hit !

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