The inaugural edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has already grabbed attention with some nail-biting finishes and capacity crowds in the United Arab Emirates.
Expectations with the league were high and when it kicked off on February 4, followers of the game began comparing it with the likes of Indian Premier League and the Australian Big Bash T20.
Two weeks into the tournament, project director and the mastermind behind the league, Salman Sarwar Butt, revealed how Pakistan’s very own franchise based T20 league has fared so far.
Here is what Butt says about the lucrative league:
- Total Investment made by both Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the five franchises was around $20 million
- Some franchises will go close to the break even after the first edition while some will not
- PCB is very possibly set to break even
Will the PSL be staged in Pakistan? If yes, when?
- We wished to organise the league in Pakistan, but we have to strictly consider the security situation back home as there is involvement of foreign players and coaches
- We will definitely take the league back to Pakistan as the security improves with time
- The next edition will be held in February 2017 in the UAE, but we are considering staging some matches in Pakistan
Can the franchises handle player transfers just like European football leagues? Any new franchise for next season?
- Franchises have the liberty to totally revamp their teams for next season if they wish to
- At the moment, all players have signed a one-year contract with their franchises who have an option to extend the contracts for two or three more years or not to renew and eventually release the players
- Contractually, another franchise can be added to the PSL in the third edition and the fourth franchise can be added in the fourth edition only
PSL, despite being staged away from Pakistan, has attracted houseful crowds in Sharjah and Dubai.
As Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United compete in the eliminator today, seeking a place in the Tuesday’s final against Quetta Gladiators, PSL Chairman Najam Sethi was excited in informing that all tickets for the final showdown have been sold out.
