Feb 4-24: Doha to host first edition of Pakistan Super League
At least 25 leading international players likely to feature in the event: PCB
PHOTO: AFP
The Chairman Executive Committee Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) Governing Council, Najam Sethi, announced on Wednesday that the first edition of the Pakistan Super League will be staged in Doha, Qatar coming February.
Sethi who led a seven-member PCB delegation to Doha earlier in the week claimed that the venue was ready to host top-level cricket and the cricket board would work closely with the Qatar authorities to ensure a world-class event.
Addressing a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Sethi claimed that his board was ready to deliver the first edition.
“The wait is now over and we are here to tell you of our intent to stage the PSL. The way we see it, PSL is not just about cricket. It is a unique blend of entertainment and cricket which will be the most exciting Pakistani product,” he said.
The first edition is slated to take place from February 4 to 24, 2016.
Five teams comprising the four provincial cities and the federal capital are going to take part in the tournament, a total of 24 matches are scheduled to take place in the first edition.
According to the PCB, the PSL Governing Council decided to lock Doha as its preferred location for the tournament after lengthy deliberations.
“We are starting with 5 teams in order to build the value of our franchises and we will expand the number of teams in the coming editions,” Sethi added.
Meanwhile the official claimed that top foreign players from all test-playing nations except India have expressed interest in signing up for the PSL.
Presently, the board has received consent from over 40 international players. In addition, top foreign coaches are also being roped in for the first edition of the PSL. The tournament will carry collective prize money of up to $1 million.
Sethi also shed light about the interest of potential commercial stakeholders in the league.
“I can confirm that a number of parties are currently talking to us and are interested in picking up the franchises. Similarly, we have great interest being shown from broadcasters and sponsors,” he said.
With the event venue locked, the formal PSL launch will take place in Lahore in the third week of September.
Latif throws weight behind league
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has backed PCB’s decision to hold the first edition of Pakistan Super League in Doha. Speaking to The Express Tribune Latif stated that the venue in Doha was good enough to hold the tournament.
“The Doha cricket venue is similar to the Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, it has a capacity of around 25,000 and there is a huge interest in the game especially in the South Asian community," said Latif.
Latif added that the league is likely to provide healthy financial incentives to the players involved, he asked the PCB to ensure that they deliver an enthralling spectacle.
“The league is going to boost the stature of the players and provide them an opportunity of playing with the best in the world. At the same time the PCB must not leave any stone unturned and must even invest from their own coffers to ensure a truly worthy tournament.”
Sethi who led a seven-member PCB delegation to Doha earlier in the week claimed that the venue was ready to host top-level cricket and the cricket board would work closely with the Qatar authorities to ensure a world-class event.
Addressing a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Sethi claimed that his board was ready to deliver the first edition.
“The wait is now over and we are here to tell you of our intent to stage the PSL. The way we see it, PSL is not just about cricket. It is a unique blend of entertainment and cricket which will be the most exciting Pakistani product,” he said.
The first edition is slated to take place from February 4 to 24, 2016.
Five teams comprising the four provincial cities and the federal capital are going to take part in the tournament, a total of 24 matches are scheduled to take place in the first edition.
According to the PCB, the PSL Governing Council decided to lock Doha as its preferred location for the tournament after lengthy deliberations.
“We are starting with 5 teams in order to build the value of our franchises and we will expand the number of teams in the coming editions,” Sethi added.
Meanwhile the official claimed that top foreign players from all test-playing nations except India have expressed interest in signing up for the PSL.
Presently, the board has received consent from over 40 international players. In addition, top foreign coaches are also being roped in for the first edition of the PSL. The tournament will carry collective prize money of up to $1 million.
Sethi also shed light about the interest of potential commercial stakeholders in the league.
“I can confirm that a number of parties are currently talking to us and are interested in picking up the franchises. Similarly, we have great interest being shown from broadcasters and sponsors,” he said.
With the event venue locked, the formal PSL launch will take place in Lahore in the third week of September.
Latif throws weight behind league
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has backed PCB’s decision to hold the first edition of Pakistan Super League in Doha. Speaking to The Express Tribune Latif stated that the venue in Doha was good enough to hold the tournament.
“The Doha cricket venue is similar to the Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, it has a capacity of around 25,000 and there is a huge interest in the game especially in the South Asian community," said Latif.
Latif added that the league is likely to provide healthy financial incentives to the players involved, he asked the PCB to ensure that they deliver an enthralling spectacle.
“The league is going to boost the stature of the players and provide them an opportunity of playing with the best in the world. At the same time the PCB must not leave any stone unturned and must even invest from their own coffers to ensure a truly worthy tournament.”