Pakistan Super League unveiled as PCB lures stars
PCB officials, cricketers and former greats watch as former ICC chief and PSL advisor Haroon Lorgat unveils the logo of PSL. — Photo courtesy PCB
KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Thursday, unveiled its plan for hosting a glamorous Twenty20 cricket league, which it hoped would lure international stars and herald the revival of international cricket in the country.
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) was launched in Lahore in a glitzy ceremony attended by members of Pakistan’s men’s and women’s cricket captains, board officials and cricket greats.
According to the PCB, the league will be launched this March, with an opening ceremony on March 23 and matches will ensue from the following day.
Five teams will be part of the league in its first three editions and each team will comprise five local players and six international players.
PSL will be played on a league format with all teams playing each other twice on pattern of the popular football leagues and the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Ashraf said the league would go a long way in helping local cricketers as they will get a chance to play with the big names of the game and herald a new era for Pakistan’s domestic cricket.
Former chief of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Haroon Lorgat has been appointed as an advisor of the league, PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf announced during the ceremony.
“Today is a very important day for Pakistan cricket,” Lorgat, who was present at the ceremony, said.
Lorgat had previously met with PCB officials as they sought to bring international cricket teams back to Pakistan.
“PSL will help revive international cricket in Pakistan,” Lorgat said.
No international cricket team has played in Pakistan following the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in March 2009, which injured several Sri Lankan cricketers and ICC umpires.
While Bangladesh Cricket Board had shown willingness to send its team to Pakistan on two occasions last year, it backed out later citing reservations on the security situation.
i wish best of luck to pcb…
An excellent move by the PCB. I wish them success with this tournament.
I think this is the first decision taken by PCB correctly. My best wishes are with PCB for such a great logo. I hope Allah give success to PSL by leaps and bounds. PSL is also great because it will enable the new cricket talent in Pakistan to show its capabilities infront of audience.
*May! God bless Pakistan and PSL* (Ameen)
If no international players come we always have Afghanistan to relay on. In fact Afghanistan cricket team can play matches in such parts of Pakistan where even Pakistani team itself think of visiting such as Khyber agency, Bajawar, North Waziristan etc.
Excellent move by PCB. Pakistan will soon begin to return to normalcy as USA/NATO troops withdraw from Afghanistan. All Militancy, all Violence, all Extremism is attributable to 33 years of War, invasion and occupation first by Soviet Union then by USA/NATO and India. Every Major Country in the Northern Hemisphere has fought in Afghanistan except China. Once Afghanistan is returned to the Afghan people, I honestly believe militancy inside Pakistan will subside.
I guess International players are the Pakistani players who play at the international level.
Nice step taken by PCB to organize Pakistan Super League. The logo chosen by our board is fantastic. My prayers are that this leagues goes best and attracts many top players. Also turn out to be steping stone towards restoration of international cricket to Pakistan. Only security is the big concern for international players, any how PCB should continue with its effort to attract them by making strong security arrangements and better financial incentives.
Just exactly how are we expecting to get international players to play IN Pakistan??????
If PCB pays the players well, many international players will come running even if they are not the top rated cricketers. Once the PSL conducts its matches safely, Bangladeshi, Indian and foreign teams will have less excuse not to play in Pakistan.
Just now an attacked has been taken place……………how they are gonna manage it, God knows…..?
I know how foreign players are going to do it. They are going to play on playstation or nintendo from their own homes and this will be broadcast live as PSL!!
ya ALLAH is psl ko kamyab krna ameen
aur bhi gham he jahan me
Cricket ke siva…..Over 100 massacred in a day
Am not sure that current International players will come and play in the PSL. Retired international players will not bring any charm, excitement, competitive and any energetic display of cricket. I also doubt about the composition of the teams as 5 local and 6 international players, I think it is too ambitious. In my opinion, PCB should take small steps towards a taking a giant leap.
I think this will be good for Pakistan Cricket!!! The photographer should have taken a better picture for this big event.
Yes. as per the photo here. it looks more like, the (gala) event was haphazardly put together in a random banquet hall. please let me know if it is incorrect.
can be one…….hope for the best all offf usss………….and hope it will go long for pakistan cricket
is say pahlay pakistan or wourld ix ka match karwana chai ha
Optimistic …
Congratulations and gud luck to Pakistan….Nice initiative and may things turn out well…All the best…
Ya Allah Khair
Let’s hope for the best as five teams with six foreigners means 45 players from abroad will participate in league. Let’s see PCB hierarchy is able to bring to lure such large number of foreign players in terrorist-hit country.
Yeah, 5 times 6 is 45…
All the best to PSL, PCB and Pakistan Cricket.
Great idea! but I really really doubt any international star will be willing to come and play, given the state of affairs of the country
mr anonymous u dont need to be doubted. its all about money. every player will be coming every player
And like security, money will fall into place too. Wishful. To say the least.
Wow Logo Looks Killer.Let us hope it will bring international cricket to Our Pakistan.
not a good time to start such a league here. Its hard to provide fool proof security to 11 players and PCB is inviting 30 + international players to be based in different cities.
ICC representatives were present in the opening ceremony, including the big man himself, Haroon Lorgat. Prior to the his PCB has indirectly supported the World XI matches.. From what I know, they all went down very well and successful. Its time we unite against the terror in our community rather than spread the worrying terror of them coming to get you!!
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Best of luck psl
i think this is a good decision from pcb our prayers is with pcb may Allah bring back the international cricket to pakistan good luck team pakistan