It’s the UAE. No, it’s Qatar. But wait, can Qatar really host the inaugural edition of Pakistan’s high-profile T20 league? No, actually let’s go back to the UAE. It has been the ‘will-they-won’t-they cricket story of the summer and after a high-profile U-turn, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) have finally agreed that the inaugural PSL will be hosted in the UAE.
– PSL: Pakistan cricket’s attempt to survive in the UAE
– PSL: Former Proteas coach Mickey Arthur signs up
– PSL: Officials confirm UAE will host inaugural tournament
The venue merry-go-round is far from over but there is considerable relief among Pakistanis and those in the UAE that they still have a relationship after recently looking on the brink of divorce. But what does the PSL promise to its hosts? What would it bring to Pakistan cricket?
Sport360 speaks exclusively to the man who he is heading the project, PSL governing council chairman Najam Sethi, to find out.
Why has the PCB taken so long to stage its own high-profile T20 league?
The PCB had been thinking about launching the PSL for three years but did not go ahead with the project due to fear of failure. But now, we have taken the step of launching our own league and I can tell you that it would be the second best league in the world. I say this because the population in Pakistan, India and the Middle East is large and this region has a higher viewership than the Big Bash, Caribbean Premier League (CPL) because of their time zones. The financial feasibility of project is based on the significant, massive fanbase and this is why I feel it will be the second top league behind Indian Premier League (IPL).
How will the PSL improve cricket in Pakistan?
Pakistan will specially benefit from the PSL because while our national team have been playing away from home, we have not been able to go on ‘A’ tours to Australia, England and South Africa. The grooming of the second-tier players has subsequentlty stopped but in the PSL, these players will have a platform where they can play against the best players in the world. Playing with Chris Gayle, Kevin Pitersen, Lasith Malinga, Sunile Narine etc will improve their game and exposure to these foreign players will ultimately help Pakistan get better.
How will foreign players be drafted?
The players will be divided into five categories which are Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver and Emerging players. We asked 150 players around the world to play and I can confirm that 120 of them have agreed to be in the PSL draft. But in the end we will shortlist only the best players and around 20-25 of them will be then picked by the five franchises. Each team will have four foreign players in their playing 11 while there will be two emerging players.
What are the benefits of the PSL for emerging players?
The emerging players will earn a lot of money which is something they would not have had the opportunity to otherwise. This in turn will encourage others to take up cricket seriously. They will get atleast $25,000 in 21 days time whether they play three or four matches, comapred to the $250 per month in domestic cricket for six months.
Pakistan Super League ambassador Ramiz Raja reiterates that banned trio should be barred #PSL http://t.co/gR77H8b3HA pic.twitter.com/3qs7DL1SM3
— Sport360° (@Sport360) September 28, 2015
Who are some of the top players that will be on show?
As you know we have got the nod from likes of West Indian Chris Gayle and there is nobody like him when it comes to T20 cricket. There are other West Indian players like Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Sunile Narine, Darren Sammy, Samuel Badree, Andre Russell and Lendl Simmons. Sri Lankan players such as Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Ajantha Mendis, Thishara Perrera and Tillkaratne Dilshan are also on board while there are top English players in Kevin Pietersen, Luke Wright, Tim Bresnan and Ravi Bopara. Australians Brad Hodge, Brad Hogg, Brad Haddin and Nathan Hauritz and signed up and New Zealand’s James Franklin and Grant Elliot join South African Johan Botha. There are more big names with whom we are negotiating and they will be made public in next few days.
Which coaches have signed with PSL?
So far 15 coaches have agreed to be part of the PSL. The good thing is that we’ve got coaches who have experience not only in leagues such as IPL, Big Bash or T20 blast, but also with their national sides. Those who have agreed include South Africa’s Micky Aurthur, West Indian great Gordon Greenidge, Sri Lankan Chaminda Vaas, India’s Robin Singh, Australian Darren Berry, Chris Adams of England and again, more names will be revealed in a few days time. We will place them in the draft and the franchise owners wwill decide who they want to sign.
How will the PSL succeed where the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and Sri Lankan Premier League (SLPL) failed?
The BPL and SLPL failed for different reasons but the main problem was regarding playing players on time and thus their credibility suffered, which led to the leagues being shut down. In those leagues the payment was to be made by the franchises afterwards whereas in the PSL, franchises will have to pay money in advance to the PCB who will then give the money to players. We will increase the credibility of our product and players will feel secure with the PSL as it is guaranteed by the bank of the PCB.
What has the interest in franchises been like?
Initially we have decided to go with a five-franchise league and eventually the plan is to have eight franchises in the next four years. I can tell you that there are 20 parties who have shown serious interest in the league and I think the numbers will increase next month. It can only be a good thing for the PCB and PSL to have such competition because the value of the franchise will increase. The tenders for franchises will be out by October and the decision about the owners will be made in November.
Will the PSL make the PCB self-sufficient?
A. Yes definitely. The PSL will need to make the PCB self-sufficient because it is not easy to run cricket from ICC revenue alone and our board will now be stronger. We know that we will get handsome amount from the league. Right now we are looking to the Pakistan-India series to get a good revenue but with the PSL, that position will certainly change.
How will franchises make profit and how will money be distributed?
A. There will be a central pool of money from the broadcasting rights and title sponsors. Eighty per cent of all the revenue to be distributed among the five franchises with the PCB getting the rest. We’ve created a cap for the owners to spend at $1 million and no one can go over that. $1 million more will be made available for travel expenses so franchises can recieve a significant return from the PSL.
According to reports, overseas interest for purchasing PSL franchises has come from the UK, UAE, India and Australia #Cricket #PSL
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) September 25, 2015
Some cricketers felt they played second fiddle to filmstars at the PSL logo launch. What is your opinion on this?
A. There are some misconceptions about the logo launch. The logo launch was not for the cricketers or media but it was for potential bidders, sponsors and franchises and for those people we are trying to convince that PSL is a big sellable item. Sport has become a big entertainment industry and to improve value of cricketers you need to do packaging with people of showbiz and filmstars. The logo launch was a success and the interest of public and bidders have improved after it.
