'Increase in salary cap of PSL squads discussed and approved in principle [Update Post #40]

[hadi123]

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering hosting the full fourth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the country. The decision for the change in venue for the tournament will be decided in a meeting on June 12.

According to board sources, PCB has already made up its mind that hosting PSL in Pakistan is a better deal, considering the amount of leagues taking place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) later this year.

But to make a final call, the board wants to take all franchises on board.

The relationship between the PCB and UAE cricket authorities has suffered in the past couple of months, with terse statements coming from both camps.

Chairman Najam Sethi in April, while talking to Daily Express, warned UAE cricket authorities that PCB will consider moving its home venue from the Middle Eastern country to Malaysia if other countries leagues will take place between October and March.

However, Sethi’s warning seemed to make little difference in the attitude of the UAE cricket authorities who announced their own version of a star-studded T20 league that will take place between December and January.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has already announced that their T20 league will also take place in the Emirates in October, whereas a T10 league will take place in November in the country.

Taking all those developments into consideration, the PCB will discuss with all the franchises the possibility of holding the full tournament in the country in 2019.

One franchise official, on the basis of anonymity, confirmed to Daily Express that they will be backing PCB’s idea of hosting the full tournament in the country.

“We don’t think there is any point of hosting the PSL in UAE now,” he said. “We are here to do business and this does not seem like a good deal because if the tournament is being organised in the UAE, with so much T20 and T10 cricket around, we will not be getting the best possible sponsorship deals due to the saturation in the market. Broadcasters will also not be paying us sufficient amount of money for the tournament and we don’t think people will want to come to the grounds for the matches as well. We genuinely believe having next edition of PSL in Pakistan is a viable option as the country’s law and order situation has vastly improved.”

Another franchise official was of the view that PSL in Pakistan will be a hit product, regardless of how many big name players will make it to the tournament.

“Recently we’ve seen great rivalry building up between franchises, which is great news for the competition,” he said. “Once we have the PSL in Pakistan, we can attract hundreds and thousands of followers of each franchise to the ground, which means even if big name players don’t come to the country, it will not hurt the brand’s image in the long run.”

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1729118/7-pcb-mulls-hosting-full-psl4-pakistan/

 

[Hawkeye]

Lol.

It was already a half retired players league.

Seems like we won't get to see those one or two proper international cricketers now.

 

[RehanG]

I think Its a good idea, the situation in Pakistan is much much better and a tournament can be safely organized. Those who want to come Will come anyways

 

[Deewana Mastana]

It ain't happening as none of the current international players who have played in PSL would want to travel to Pakistan. Heck they don't even want to go for 24 hours for a final or semis either.

 

[Mr.Q]

Brave move. If they can ensure the players’ safety this will be a huge boost to Pakistan cricket and its fans.

 

[saeed5646]

It is time to take that bold step .No point hosting psl matches in uae any more

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Najam Sethi knows that it will be his last year in the office so he might as well go out with a bang.

 

[hitthestump]

It seems like the next natural progression. It hardly seems viable to continue hosting in the UAE on low scoring pitches within empty stadiums.

Pay the international players enough and they will come.

 

[Varun]

Yawn....the usual cycle of news commences again. We all know how this will morph into the eventual result as the months roll along. Full will become half, half will become 6 games, and 6 games will become the semi and the final.

It's like a washing machine: rinse and repeat.

 

[Syed1]

Yawn....the usual cycle of news commences again. We all know how this will morph into the eventual result as the months roll along. Full will become half, half will become 6 games, and 6 games will become the semi and the final.

It's like a washing machine: rinse and repeat.

Thanks for all the love and support

 

[Varun]

Thanks for all the love and support

Stop being so insecure. I haven't been on this forum for over half a decade and with 16,000+ posts if I disliked Pakistan cricket.

 

[USofA]

PSL is Pak. will be give it a boost. But there are several questions/issues.

1. Will each team play in their home ground? With proper home/away matches.
2. If not, will the games be in just the two venues (Lahore, Karachi)?
3. If only in these two venues, what will that do to the daily lives of the common people? With everything being shut tight for security reasons. That too for a month and a half.

The above are all logistical issues. There is the whole player issue that needs to be addressed as well. So there are a lot of issues that need to addressed and communicated in the next 6 months or so.

 

[Hedz]

Too soon in my opinion
Should aim for 8 to 16 games hosted in Pakistan in PSL4
If that’s goes smoothly and we have another couple of tours to Pakistan, then by PSL5 we can think about taking the whole league over

One year with half the games in Malaysia won’t be too much of an issue

 

[Savak]

The PCB needs to go for it. Pak's need to stop living in fear.

 

[imranyounus]

the need of hour is building a stadium in islamabad. and hopefully one in bahria town karachi will be completed soon with 2 secure stadiums we can hope to stage decent amount of matches with sufficent security and without disturbing daily life. untill then it will most likely be final few matches.

 

[MMHS]

That should have been the target after 3rd edition. Player pool might suffer a bit initially (though not sure - if they can come for 5 games, why not 10?), but somewhere PCB had to call it. Only issue is, now it's like a forced upon situation for PCB, rather than a well thought out bold call, which often creates panic an execution level.

What I didn't like is PCB Chairman's comments on Emirati CB - there was no need to use words like "warning", "apology", when the handicap is with PAK, and they might have called the bluff. If it really turns ugly, PCB will have very little to bargain - if ECB puts PSL as a combo package with PAK's home games together, there is very little space for PCB to maneuver - some bridges are already burnt in other few possible avenues. Also, wherever PCB goes to negotiate (for hosting PAK game/PSL), now the aces will be on hosts hand for negotiation.

This is not the first time a PCB/PAK high official has cost the board/nation from his personal ego. NS might leave this year, but he will be leaving a difficult situation for his successor - previous 2 Chairman (Butt & Z Ashraf) also left after burning some bridges.

 

[HussainRx8]

I think PCB is out of options. Emirates Cricket Board has been increasingly unresponsive to their concerns. The silver lining in this is that it may fast track cricket back to Pakistan.

 

[Hasan123]

Need to get PSL in Pakistan as soon as possible. Good move.

 

[Third_Umpire]

The cons of hosting PSL in UAE are many
- it's not in Pakistan
- grounds are hard to get to
- pitches suck
- probably more expensive than hosting at home
- doing nothing to improve security perception of Pakistan

There is only one pro: international players participation. If we were getting top international players, could justify staying in UAE. However, that's not the case. Move this to Pakistan, play in front of packed houses, get a few international players to come and stay the full tournament. Will do much more for brand, quality, perception than staying in UAE.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

This is actually a good step.A lot of matches were scheduled to be held in Pakistan anyway.The foreign players who were going to skip those matches are better off not picked in the draft anyway.

 

[mirza105]

blessing in disguise

 

[Oligochaetes]

PSL4 will help Pakistan develop their stadiums. It will bring people to the grounds and be able to watch players they love.

It will bring costs down as they won't have to spend so much on accommodation and travelling.

It might also mean more earnings as they don't have to split costs with UAE. They can control betting threat as well.

It may make international players bit more secure in accepting to play in Pakistan and an eventual return of international cricket to Pakistan.

More Pakistani players can come into limelight with absence of International player.

I say, go for it!

 

[shortbread]

Lol.

It was already a half retired players league.

Seems like we won't get to see those one or two proper international cricketers now.

It ain't happening as none of the current international players who have played in PSL would want to travel to Pakistan. Heck they don't even want to go for 24 hours for a final or semis either.

Why the stubborness to include these International cricketers?!

Plenty of talent playing domestic cricket, let them have a go. If the foreigners are scared let them not come, no one is forcing them. It's Pakistan cricket that needs a boost not the bank balances of T20 mercenaries!

 

[saeed5646]

Why the stubborness to include these International cricketers?!

Plenty of talent playing domestic cricket, let them have a go. If the foreigners are scared let them not come, no one is forcing them. It's Pakistan cricket that needs a boost not the bank balances of T20 mercenaries!

No they are right to some extent. we need big players for atleast few matches so the standard and quality of league is not compromise as no body will be intrested much via domestic faisal bank 2

 

[USofA]

PSL4 will help Pakistan develop their stadiums. It will bring people to the grounds and be able to watch players they love.

It will bring costs down as they won't have to spend so much on accommodation and travelling.

It might also mean more earnings as they don't have to split costs with UAE. They can control betting threat as well.

It may make international players bit more secure in accepting to play in Pakistan and an eventual return of international cricket to Pakistan.

More Pakistani players can come into limelight with absence of International player.

I say, go for it!

What about security costs? Wouldn't they have to spend an arm and a leg to shut everything down around the stadiums. That too for over a month? This is assuming it's going to be in Lahore and Karachi. This will eat into earnings/profits.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

What about security costs? Wouldn't they have to spend an arm and a leg to shut everything down around the stadiums. That too for over a month? This is assuming it's going to be in Lahore and Karachi. This will eat into earnings/profits.

Heavily subsidised and still lower cost than renting UAE stadiums. The gate reciepts will alone send PSL into major profit.

I say do it.

 

[Hawkeye]

Why the stubborness to include these International cricketers?!

Plenty of talent playing domestic cricket, let them have a go. If the foreigners are scared let them not come, no one is forcing them. It's Pakistan cricket that needs a boost not the bank balances of T20 mercenaries!

Huh?

So you want to turn it to domestic Faysal Bank T20?

Have some sense. Don't destroy PCB or Pak cricket.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Huh?

So you want to turn it to domestic Faysal Bank T20?

Have some sense. Don't destroy PCB or Pak cricket.

If intl cricketers refuse to come to Pak after everything thats been dlne then when will they ever come? Need to draw the line somewhere.

 

[USofA]

Heavily subsidised and still lower cost than renting UAE stadiums. The gate reciepts will alone send PSL into major profit.

I say do it.

I am assuming by subsidized, you mean the tax payers are footing the bill. That is unfair. The tax payers should not be paying for any private, for profit entity conducting business.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

I am assuming by subsidized, you mean the tax payers are footing the bill. That is unfair. The tax payers should not be paying for any private, for profit entity conducting business.

Pakistanis hardly pay tax and this is a national duty. Maybe 10 years down the line it will no longer be required.

 

[Pakpak]

There is no point of PSL in Pakistan if the games are only at two venues, people will simply lose interest after a couple of games. If the games are player proper home and away then yeah, go for it.

 

[MenInG]

PCB, PSL owners set to take key decisions in wake of UAE’s own T20 league

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has called an emergency meeting of all the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise owners here on Tuesday, to take some key decisions in the backdrop of a recent announcement by the Emirates Cricket Board to launch its own International T20 League next year which could pose numerous problems for the much popular and successful PSL.

PCB chairman Najam Sethi has already warned that if the UAE authorities continue to create hurdles in the way of the PSL, all the league matches could be shifted to Pakistan.

Though it is not easy for the PCB to host all the 35 matches of the PSL in Pakistan due to security and other issues, there are reports that all the franchises are willing to play all matches in Pakistan instead of holding majority of the matches in the UAE.

There are also reports that the PCB has proposed the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) that if their T20 league concludes at least 35 days before the start of the PSL, then the PCB will not have any objection, otherwise all the matches would be shifted to Pakistan regardless of whether or not the foreign players agree to come here and play.

The PCB believes the PSL has become a successful brand with the Pakistanis all around the world showing great interest in it, and even second line of foreign players could make the showpiece event very exciting and colourful on Pakistan soil.

It may be mentioned here that the cost of stadium and other expenditures in the UAE are already proving too much for the PCB the grounds in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are seldom filling up for the matches. The scenario in Pakistan could be a very different one if the league matches are staged here as they could witness packed to capacity crowds as were seen during the two play-offs and the final staged in Lahore and Karachi respectively early this year in PSL-2018.

The UAE, on the other hand, is going to be hub of the cricket in the months to come since the Afghanistan Cricket Board is also holding its first T20 league in the UAE in October this year. The UAE will also play host to the T-10 league in November and then their own International T20 league in December-January.

In another development, the Indian Premier League will also organise some of its matches next year in the UAE in the wake of the general elections in India.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1412903/p...-key-decisions-in-wake-of-uaes-own-t20-league

 

[Hedz]

If intl cricketers refuse to come to Pak after everything thats been dlne then when will they ever come? Need to draw the line somewhere.

Still too early in the cause
Host 8-16 PSL games in Pakistan in PSL 4 and if that goes well
Then go for a whole season in Pakistan
Even if have Malaysia as an alternative option, we should take it

 

[saeed5646]

Hopefully they will divide matches in 3 to 4 venues otherwise i don.t think they can fill the grounds in lahore and karachi only .34 matches are hell alot to be played in 2 venue only

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Hopefully they will divide matches in 3 to 4 venues otherwise i don.t think they can fill the grounds in lahore and karachi only .34 matches are hell alot to be played in 2 venue only

Agreed.

Karachi,Lahore,Rawalpindi and Multan can be the venues.There were also reports that Hyderabad could host a few matches,but not sure how well developed the stafium there is.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

I hope they have some matches in Peshawar. Zalmis have huge following and they deserve to play at home. Same goes for all the other teams.

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made an effort to normalise the ties with the cricket authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to sources, the PCB has written a letter to the Emirates Cricket Board asking them not to schedule any other league in the country at least 35 days before the start of the fourth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Sources confirmed that both the PCB and UAE cricketing authorities are keen on reaching a mutually agreeable solution regarding the PSL.
Both boards seem to be progressing in the right direction, with the possibility of the Emirates T20 League being organised from December 19, 2018 to January 10, 2019. That will leave a gap of more than 35 days till the start of PSL4 that is expected to begin in late February.

PCB chairman Najam Sethi had earlier warned the cricketing authorities in the UAE to avoid scheduling matches in the country between October and March.

Afghanistan Cricket Board’s T20 league will also take place in the Emirates in October, along with a T10 league in November.

A source reiterates that the PCB does not want the situation to deteriorate further as the Emirates Cricket Board has been extremely helpful in the past by allowing Pakistan to stage matches in the UAE after the attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in 2009 in Lahore.

The PCB are also in a fix over moving the PSL outside the UAE as both Malaysia — the alternative venue — and Pakistan may not prove feasible at the moment.

The PCB is unsure about the facilities available in Malaysia and doubt if they can compete with those on offer in the UAE. Another issue with Malaysia is the increased chance of rain affecting matches.

It is also thought to be too soon to bring the entire PSL to Pakistan next year, despite the increase in international matches being hosted in the country. The board is wary of taking the leap too soon and believes a lot of the high-profile players will opt out of the tournament if they are asked to play the entire event in Pakistan.

However, a final decision regarding PSL4’s venue is expected to be decided in a meeting between the PCB and franchise owners on June 12.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1731542/7-pcb-steps-efforts-normalise-ties-emirates-cricket-board/

 

[saeed5646]

Smart move from Pcb .we need to stay in uae atleast two more psl session then we can move it back to pak easily

 

[saeed5646]

Agreed.

Karachi,Lahore,Rawalpindi and Multan can be the venues.There were also reports that Hyderabad could host a few matches,but not sure how well developed the stafium there is.

Multan is one of most beautiful pak ground it should host psl matches .hyderabad is i think not upto date.faisalbad ground is also in good condition it should be next in line with lahore, karachi,multan and faisalbad

 

[DeadBall]

Pakistan Super League Governing Council Meeting

Lahore, 12 June 2018: A meeting of the Pakistan Super League Governing Council comprising representatives of PCB and all PSL franchises was held here today at the National Cricket Academy. Chairman PCB Mr. Najam Aziz Sethi presiding over the meeting.

A number of matters were discussed during the meeting.

The Governing Council expressed its concerns over a newly announced T20 league taking place in the UAE. It was decided that PCB will not allow any contracted players to take part in any T20 league taking place in the UAE other than PSL.

An increase in the salary cap of PSL squads was discussed in detail and approved in principle.

All franchises expressed full confidence in PCB's attempts to bring more PSL matches to Pakistan. It was decided that at least eight matches will be held in Pakistan next year.

The meeting was informed that five franchises have cleared all dues. A firm commitment was made by the sixth franchise that all remaining dues shall be cleared shortly.

The Governing Council expressed full confidence in Mr. Najam Sethi's efforts for the promotion and protection of PSL.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Good to hear that the salary cap for players is increasing.This move could help attract more foreign players,if the international schedule permits it.

 

[Savak]

By 2020 the PCB needs to aim to bring back the PSL to Pakistan on a full time basis, all the grounds should be up to par and all the hotels and recreational facilities should be planned and taken care off.

 

[hadi123]

KARACHI: Hopes of having a full Pakistan Super League (PSL) fourth edition in the country have ended as the franchises and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided against the idea in a high-profile meeting on Tuesday.

The idea was floated by the board officials due to an increase of T20 leagues being hosted in the United Arab Emirates, who are set to host Emirates and Afghanistan’s T20 league along with a T10 league between September 2018 and January 2019.

However, contrary to earlier reports in the media, both franchises and board officials decided against hosting the full PSL4 in Pakistan after it was agreed that the law and order situation is not yet viable enough to organise a month-long event.

The lack of infrastructure in the country was another reason why the PCB’s proposal was shot down.

During the meeting, franchises also expressed to the PCB their willingness to construct a 200-room hotel inside the premises of the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the Multan Cricket Stadium. To evaluate the offer, the PCB referred the matter to a committee who will look into the details.

There were also discussions regarding non-payments from the franchises to the PCB in the meeting. One of the two franchises that were liable to pay a handsome amount of money to the board cleared their dues, whereas the other franchise was given a 48-hour ultimatum to clear the dues or face contract termination.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1734253/7-franchises-pcb-decide-full-psl4-pakistan/

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Host it in OZ.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Host it in OZ.

Not financially viable and timings would be horrible for Pakistani viewers.It should be hosted partially in Malaysia/Pakistan or completely in Pakistan.

 

[MenInG]

LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League’s Governing Council in a meeting on Tuesday had raised doubts about Multan being a possible venue for the PSL matches next year because the city perhaps lacked proper accommodation and other facilities.

However, to show some efforts on its part, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has nominated a two-member committee comprising Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmad and another official Khayam Qaiser who will be visiting Multan and Muzaffarabad shortly to find out if suitable accommodation is available in these two cities.

It is, indeed, surprising to note how PCB has ignored a major fact that it has already organized at least seven One-day Internationals and five Test matches at the Multan Stadium during the past against high-profile teams including India, England, South Africa, the West Indies besides Bangladesh and Zimbabwe since the inauguration of the stadium back in year 2000.

It may also be mentioned here that most of the international matches were held in Multan after the deadly terrorist attack of 9/11 in New York and security was high alert in the region.

According to a report, at least ten top-class hotels are available in Multan where accommodation rates range from from Rs 10,000 to Rs22,000 per day and offering every facility.

If the PCB seriously considers Multan as third venue of the PSL, it could easily hold the entire PSL in Pakistan next year. If Dubai and Sharjah alone could host nearly 30 matches of the PSL in the last edition, there is no reason why Lahore, Karachi and Multan cannot host the entire PSL matches between them.

It may be mentioned here that due to high cost of the accommodation and other facilities in the UAE, nearly all the six PSL franchises are not interested to playing the matches in the UAE. They believe that in Pakistan, big crowd are expected at major cities which could make the PSL a much more successful brand beside opening opportunities for more business within the country.

However, an official from a PSL franchise disclosed that though PCB Chairman Najam Sethi is willing to hold all the PSL matches in Pakistan, his close subordinates have other plans. “The PCB officials feel it will be a very hectic job to conduct all PSL matches in Pakistan as compared to holding them in the UAE,” he said.

“Many of the PCB officials are obviously enjoying the foreign trip and charging a handsome daily allowances in US Dollars. Furthermore, they are also free from all kind of pressures of making elaborate security arrangements and todistribution of tickets here in Pakistan,” the official added.

“The presence of foreign players in the country for a longer period of nearly a month may be another fear factor for the PCB in hosting the entire PSL in Pakistan. But it is the responsibility of the franchises to bring the players and look after them, a job they have done admirably in the recent past,” the official said.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1413985/multan-has-all-the-facilities-to-host-psl-matches-next-year

 

[Savak]

I believe the PSL should only come back to Pakistan when the PCB has renovated, refurbished and bought to international standard atleast 6-8 stadiums in Pakistan. The Bahria town stadium must be ready by then.

Most importantly we need to have close by 6-8 5-6 star hotels available for the players as well. Might take another 2 years but will be worth it.

 

[prisha]

If PCB is not willing to host thier own PSL in Pakistan how are they asking and expecting international teams to tour Pakistan. It looks like logic is missing in PCB.

 

[Savak]

If PCB is not willing to host thier own PSL in Pakistan how are they asking and expecting international teams to tour Pakistan. It looks like logic is missing in PCB.

The PCB is doing the right thing, if the vast majority of our stadiums and pitches are not up to international standard then it is better to wait till the time the PCB refurbishes and gets at-least 7-8 stadiums, facilities up to par.