"You cannot bring overseas players here against their wishes" : Sarfaraz Ahmed

[MenInG]

Sarfaraz Ahmed speaking ahead of the 1st Eliminator against Peshawar Zalmi on Tuesday

"As we know 2 of our main players are not coming to Pakistan but we are trying to select the best possible (replacement) players"

"This is what we spoke about yesterday with our guys that we don't want to depend on overseas players and will expect and want our local players to help us win"

"There are some players who made a commitment (to come to Pakistan) but then refused"

"Neither the franchise not the PSL management can do anything in this case"

"You cannot bring overseas players here against their wishes"

"I believe that such players, who have been bought at such expensive prices, should think about giving importance (to playing in) Pakistan"

"I believe such players should not be in the draft next year"

"This time when drafts were being done, they were made to sign papers about commitment to come to Pakistan"

"There are a few players who waited till the last moment about their decision to come to Pakistan"

"Ben Laughlin has also confirmed that he would come to Pakistan"

"For Islamabad Sam Billings had said he would come to Pakistan"

"We didnt perform that well in the final last year but we are hoping we can do better in the 2 matches we may play"

"Mahmudullah is coming back to the team and joining us, then Rilee Russouw is coming over and Chris Green is also coming"

"We have included Thisara Perera and Jonthan Charles has also been included although its not confirmed yet"

"If you compare the new players with KP and Shane Watson, then they are not proper replacements for those 2 players"

"We have tried to select the best possible players"

"Pressure will be on both teams as whoever loses will be knocked out"

"We've been finalists in both years of PSL and our effort will be not to repeat same mistakes again"

"This year's PSL has been of a good quality with some good performances by batsmen"

"The bowlers have bowled exceptionally well and made it very difficult for batsmen to score runs"

"Its great news for Pakistan that such good talent is emerging in fast-bowling and some good spinners are coming through too"

"Our [QG] performance has been mixed as we did not perform well in the last few games"

"They [overseas] did not give 'dhoka' but their families told them not to go; as you know Westerners dont give stress to their wives but our wives gives stress to us!" [laughter]

"Its very difficult to raise the morale of the team (due to team changes); We saw the same problems last year; When a team's 4 players are removed then it doesnt matter how many good replacements you get , the new players find it difficult to adjust to the team"

"The role of local players will be very important, especially in Pakistan, and they have to make sure they help their team win"

"I am batting wherever the team needs me, whether its up or down the order"

 

[SM1989]

"This time when drafts were being done, they were made to sign papers about commitment to come to Pakistan"

Really? They should have half their payments docked.

 

[light]

"This time when drafts were being done, they were made to sign papers about commitment to come to Pakistan"

Really? They should have half their payments docked.

This is a good point. Don't sign a contract stating that you will come but then back off. Next contract should have some sort of a claus where if a player signed a contract stating that they will come to PAK but backs out, x-amount of money will be deducted. However, if X player already made it very clear that he has no intention on going to PAK, then fine, the team signed him up knowing full well what was bout to happen if they qualified. He gets to keep his full amount.

 

[saadsahabjee]

in firangiyon k passport rakho jab yeh dubai pohanche aur lahore aiport se wapsi per do inko.

 

[Rana]

PSL contracts should be paid at the end of the PSL

Flights, travel, accomodation and food should be paid for, but playing money should be paid at the end of the tournament. Then we will see if the likes of Watson will back track!

 

[srh]

Any foreign player who is not willing to come to Pakistan to play, should not be even in draft of next PSL. Keep it simple.

 

[Rana]

The other problem is the fact that the big name players that would travel to Pakistan are nor in the draft or are simply not qualifying.

Brendon Mccullum would go to Lahore. David Miller would go to Lahore. There are some journeyman mercenaries around the world that would go to Pakistan. PSL is so obsessed in getting the limited few big names to just play PSL and those guys could care less for the extra $40-50K for two T20s in Pakistan.

I gaurentee that the day you convince the likes of Kane Williamson, Joe Root and Steve Smith to tour Pakistan...add Starc and Warner in that as well, the door will start to reopen.

 

[big_gamer007]

It’s simple add a clause in contract if players don’t come to Pakistan they won’t get X amount of money.. So let’s say someone like Watson was bought for 1 crore pay him 25L upfront and put a contract where he will only get 50-60L for Dubai leg and if he comes to Pakistan for knockouts he will get full 1crore..

So in short players in draft should already tell whether they will visit Pakistan or not.. If they say they will and then later backtrack then they are docked some amount of money..

If they say they will only be available for Dubai leg then teams can pay them accordingly rather than signing someone like Watson for 1 crore they can sign him for 50L just for Dubai leg..


When do PsL drafts take place? How long before PSL starts? If it’s couple of months before start of PSL then players should make up their mind before putting their names in the draft.. PCB should give a review of security before draft so players can make inform decision.. Then everyone from franchise, players and crowd knows what to expect and teams and expectations can be built accordingly..

 

[big_gamer007]

The other problem is the fact that the big name players that would travel to Pakistan are nor in the draft or are simply not qualifying.

Brendon Mccullum would go to Lahore. David Miller would go to Lahore. There are some journeyman mercenaries around the world that would go to Pakistan. PSL is so obsessed in getting the limited few big names to just play PSL and those guys could care less for the extra $40-50K for two T20s in Pakistan.

I gaurentee that the day you convince the likes of Kane Williamson, Joe Root and Steve Smith to tour Pakistan...add Starc and Warner in that as well, the door will start to reopen.

Aussies iirc were not willing to tour before 2009 attacks as well? So would be difficult to get their top players as they are paid well and unless the money is very substantial they won’t risk.. PSL is still in its 3rd season you’re best hope is for PSL to grow at a very high rate and around 6-7 season franchisees can shell IPL like money to get big names to come to Pakistan..

Provided security situation also keeps improving in the meanwhile if the above happens then you will see cricket back in Pakistan after 5 years from now..