Sports

PCB confirms UAE as venue for Pakistan Super League

A total of 24 matches will be played over a 21-day period from February 4-24 in Dubai and Sharjah

Sports Desk September 24, 2015

Board says a total of 24 matches will be played over a 21-day period from February 4 to 24. PHOTO: AFP

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Thursday UAE as the venue for the inaugural edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The Twenty 20 league will be held from February 4-24, 2016 in Dubai and Sharjah, during which a total of 24 matches will be played over a 21-day period, the PCB said in a statement.

Five teams - Quetta, Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore, and Islamabad - will be vying for glory in the first edition of PSL.

The teams will comprise the top T20 players from the world, with the latest tally of foreign player signing consents standing at an impressive 132. The players will be selected through a draft process in December.

Read: Pakistan Super League: The right people for the right job at the right time

Prominent names who have so far agreed to play the PSL include Kevin Pietersen, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Luke Wright, Shakib al Hassan, Lasith Malinga, Sunil Narine, and Angelo Mathews.

"There is a pool of top coaches from which franchise owners will be able to pick and choose", said Najam Sethi, chairman of the governing council of the PSL.

PSL will offer up to $1 million in prize money, and each franchise will be able to draft players and coaches for the team within a budget of $1 million.

Read: Grant Elliot believes Pakistan Super League showing ‘signs of success’

"The PSL has already floated tenders for broadcasters and producers," said the former PCB chairman. "This will be followed by a tendering process for sponsorships in the second week of October."

“Franchise owners will be inducted between mid to end November after which the foreign and local players will be drafted and teams constituted."

COMMENTS (6)

the Skunk | 9 years ago | Reply Shifting the venue from Qatar to UAE is a very wise move of the PCB and may, InshAllah, prove to be the trump card. Hajj and Eid Mubarak to all. Salams

Neutral | 9 years ago | Reply Good Luck PCB and Pakistan. Hope it's going to be a nice event. Please ignore small errors and mistakes as this is PCB's first time !

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Pnpuri | 9 years ago | Reply Will someone explain why Pakistan super league is being played in UAE?

Seriously | 9 years ago | Reply PCB is financially in dire-straits and doesn't have a stable TV contract in place. No available funds for the PSL. PCB can't sustain the losses. And in order to recoup the money it spends, need sound bilateral series to fill in the coffers. It is a costly affair and PCB is not in a habit of running sound financial profitable events.

Seher | 9 years ago | Reply Pakistan Super League seems determined after a successful opening ceremony to step ahead with the journey. Hopefully PSL will progress to create enriched opportunities for young talent.

Iqbal Hadi Zaidi | 9 years ago | Reply Pakistan Super League's success primarily depends upon just two factors (a) players and (b) spectators and now it is up to Pakistan Cricket Board as how it handles the event where it can mint not just earns money. UAE is a country where bulk majority of workforce who are spectators now on the event come from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and at the same time a big lot from UK is also found therefore maximum players be in action from these countries and quite naturally their countrymen will flock to see their stars in action. Top players of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe cannot be ignored either and therefore top multinational players will earn big laurels for PCB and the tourney will be remembered for long. February is a favorite month when the temperature is quite mild. I am sorry to say that as of today not many foreign players have agreed to play but PCB has enough time to reach all those who matter. Incidentally Qatar was not that attractive venue to host it because it is more toned to football which is going to host Football World Cup in any case whereas on the contra UAE team has played at international level. Additionally ICC is now head quartered in Dubai in any case. I pray PCB succeeds in its venture. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait / zaidi4merdiplomat@hotmail.com

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