Mohammad Irfan, who has declined offers to play in other Twenty20 leagues across the world due to his commitment to the nation, is excited to potentially become a part of the PSL. PHOTO: FILE
There was undisguised joy amongst the players of the national cricket team after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officially announced that the country’s domestic Twenty20 league — the Pakistan Super League (PSL) — would be held in Doha, Qatar from February 4, 2016.
Despite being one of the first countries to start their own domestic T20 competition, the PCB lagged behind in arranging a high-profile T20 league as compared to the ones taking place in India, England, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Chairman of the PSL Governing Council and PCB Executive Committee Najam Sethi announced the finalisation of the venue.
“The wait is now over and we are here to tell you of our intent to stage the PSL next year,” said Sethi. “The way we see it, the PSL is not just about cricket. It is a unique blend of entertainment and cricket which will be the most exciting Pakistani product. After extensive negotiations with various stakeholders, the PSL Governing Council has decided to lock Doha as its preferred location for the tournament.”
Sethi also announced that the five-team tournament will take place in February next year with a total of 24 matches scheduled to take place in the first edition.
The players, meanwhile, have expressed their delight and fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan is looking forward to the event as he has often turned down offers to play in different T20 leagues around the world.
“I’m yet to play in a T20 league so the PSL is a great sign for Pakistan cricket and cricketers like me,” Irfan told The Express Tribune. “There have been plenty of offers from different leagues but I’ve so far turned them all down because my focus was to remain fit and serve my country. But now that our own T20 league is about to happen, I can’t describe my excitement in words.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan one-day and T20 vice-captain Sarfraz Ahmed welcomed the decision and said it would help bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket.
“The PSL will be a huge boost for Pakistan cricket as the players would have a chance to share the dressing room with national and international stars,” said Sarfraz. “They would get the idea of playing against top players in a pressure environment and it would certainly help improve Pakistan cricket.”
Top foreign players from all Test-playing nations, except India, have expressed interest in signing up for the PSL.
As of now, the PSL team has received consent from over 40 international players while top foreign coaches are also being roped in for the first edition of the PSL, which will carry collective prize money of up to $1 million.
In line with the tournament’s commercial plan, rights for broadcast, sponsorship and franchise ownership will be auctioned over the next three months.
With the event venue locked, the formal PSL launch is expected to take place in Lahore in the third week of September.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2015.
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