Pakistan announces hosting a multinational Super League in hopes of reviving international cricket. PHOTO: FILE
There has been no top-class international cricket in Pakistan since militants attacked the Sri Lankan team in March 2009, killing eight Pakistanis and wounding seven visiting players.
Foreign teams have shunned the country over security fears, leaving Pakistan to play its home series in England and the United Arab Emirates.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) plans to host a Twenty20 league on the lines of the glitzy, cash-rich Indian Premier League, which has featured more than 100 foreign players since its inception in 2008.
The logo of the Pakistan Super League was unveiled at a colourful ceremony in Lahore, with PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf, former International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat and Pakistan captains Mohammad Hafeez and Misbahul Haq in attendance.
Lorgat, who is acting as adviser to the new league, said he hoped the participation of foreign players would help Pakistan in a big way.
"With the rising popularity of Twenty20 cricket, every ICC member country has the right to host its own league. Pakistan has done hard work and I hope with foreign players' participation, perceptions about the country will change," Lorgat said.
COMMENTS (32)
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It is funny reading comments by Indians and Pakistanis bashing each other over a silly cricket match. The world cannot tell you apart when you are playing each other because you look the same, speak the same language and eat the same food but act like you come from different planets.
Nido, Dont feel sorry for me Bro.. Do that for your country and people. Im feeling sorry for the state of women in my country... dont want to blame anyone for that but my own people and our Laws... Anyway Introspect on the point I made abt Sports n Politics mixing.... lets see u invite Israel... or even recognise them. PS- ur team is doing well, n I like that...
@ vijay...I feel sorry for you brother, I am sure the amount of hate that you have for others must have rotten your gut by now. Humanity stands high than anything and most of us are missing this point in our so called enthusiasm.
To Shahnawar Hashmi... Yes we mix sports and politics because we don not want to play with u or invite u to our country. There are many more decent humans out there who we wnat to Invite. Why dont u invite Israel n play tennis with them. leave the Politics out n invite Israel. Afterall sports n Politics shouldnt mix ...right
Can i start by requesting some of my fellow Indian readers to stop their inccessant, childish, schandenfruede comments. Its appaling to read the iimmature discussions, and before you tell me i have a choice to stop reading your comments, yes, i know i do, but i have to wade through your rubbish to read some objective comments of other Indians. False ego, irrelevant facts, beating around the bush, zero objectivity are the hallmarks of most arguments here. I think you guys need to get another hobby. One of these days i hope my fellow desi's i can see a mature and objective discussion on these forums instead of the rubbish trash talk that you indulge in. Peace out !
Its better not to throw a stone at dogs if they bark ... so chill out Pakistan:)
@ Anonymous Indian: Dude there is something called sportsman spirit which is so lacking in the whole Indian nation.
ET, mind ur language and be careful in choosing words..you always use bad words to describe pakistan's current situation. India is having far worst conditions inside their land but they never portray their country a troubled one or terrorist. we pakistanis are really unlucky that we got pathetic media like you guys...shame on you
@indian: Don't worry. All man of the match awards for all matches will be sent to Dhoni.
@ all indians:
Your number one team lost another one against England, i hope dhoni didnt get Man of the Match in this one
@Indian LOL. We don't pride ourselves on having the best batting lineup in the world. You do.
India has won Two World Cups in ODIs. Pakistan only 1.
India was world No 1 in tests for 18 months ,Pakistan never.
So, Pakistan should never compare with India
@Indian: dude, just check out the overall record of PakvsIndia. We are way ahead then you on the win ratio. Cheers!
all indians remember that our players r world's best players n they have alot of market value we r the only one who make other leagues i.e bpl bigbash a big hit n no matter weather foreign players come or not coz whole world knows that which team got star power packed n entertaining players not like indians who just do adds n dont know how to play cricket that they show in recent series against pakistan im i wrong buddies.......................
Dear All, take sports as sports. Don't take it personal. I believe both india and pakistan cricket teams are very strong team and you cannot judge the bowler/batsman or team on one match or one series. Both teams have played fantastic cricket on several occasions. I love, Off course pakistan more as it is my own team but indian team is also well deserve to be liked. If you are true fan of cricket then you will not criticize any team or player in the world.
@hindu: You Indians always just love to mix cricket with politics - especially when you see yourselves losing out in a valid argument. No matter how much you try to distract, fact is a fact - we beat you, the so called world champions in your own country. You'll have to live with it at least until the next thrashing that you'll get from us.
@Anonymous Indian: I'm so sorry. you ran out of luck so easily. It's ok. Better luck next time!
@Shanawar Hashmi: dont get too excited.....remember bangladeshis slapped u by saying no to pakistan..:D
Dear Indians we have nothing to do with you, why you people are always antagonists towards us, anyway we are hosting our own league, watch it closely how we develop fast and furious bowlers, world class spiners and batsmen, apply it to your cricket as you people have never come out with a genuine fast bowler or spinner
@Anonymous Indian: Fact is that we beat you in your own back yard and Austrailia is the only other team to have done that in past 10 years. And we've only played a few times with you in India during that period, otherwise the record would have been shattered long time ago. You can't deny that fact whatever you say buddy. Besides, the way our fast bowlers demolished your over hyped top order in all 3 ODIs was a treat to watch. I've been watching it over and over again.
LOL at the Pakistanis saying their team can beat us. It was just your luck or should I say our bad luck that we lost the series against you, otherwise we would have painted you red all over the town. I dont think this PSL is going to click as major international players will be busy with IPL. So, bad luck there kids. You can only whine about it.
@Aamir Khan: i saw pakistan's batting in the last ODI.....lol.........what a joke.....drug runnig ,match fixing and other illegal acts make this joke more humourous.........:D
lol @ ET.. jalney waley ka moo kala @indian:
@Rizvi: Dhoni's world cup disapproves your message.
You just one one more game than us, not a world cup.
@indian: even if we play alone ! We can come, schedule mini tournament and beat Indian team in your home ground any time !
It really doesn't matter if foreign players comes or not. Key is to host is regularly and successfully. Pakistan has enough talent pool to make it attractive on their own. Even at modest level compared to other leagues would sufficient to provide a decent earnings to lot more players and help local economy. If we have robust and establish league then when the time is right we will be ready to accept foreign players as well, without anything established we will not be ready when the security situation improves InshahAllah.
Schedule wise it should be hosted on the same dates as IPL as all of our players are free at that time.
@Indian: An even bigger joke than India's top order? The best batting line up in the world?
@Indian: You can earn whatever money you want from the IPL.......still Pakistan cricket team will be one better than the India cricket team in t20, ODI and test arena.....
@indian: you are right... but tell us how does it feel to call everyone at ur home and then get the bashing from them ..must hurt I say ..
@indian: Yes we know that makes your heart jump up in joy. Anyways, tell us about your cricket team, what benefit did it get from IPL? You've just spoiled them with money and now they dont really care about Indian cricket, they just care about their money.
this gonna be a big joke.......pakis will be playing among themselves when no one would dare stepping on their land.............:)