LAHORE, Pakistan: The first edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will take place from February 4 to 24 next year in the Qatari capital of Doha, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Wednesday.
“The wait is now over and we are here to tell you of our intent to stage the PSL. The way we see it, PSL is not just about cricket. It is a unique blend of entertainment and cricket which will be the most exciting Pakistani product,” the Chairman of the PSL Governing Council and the PCB Executive Committee Najam Sethi said in a press conference in Lahore on Wednesday.
In the first edition of the PSL, there will be five teams while a total of 24 Twenty20 matches will be played.
“We are starting with 5 teams in order to build the value of our franchises and we will expand the number of teams in the coming editions,” Sethi said according to a PCB press release.
The PCB said that top foreign players from all test-playing nations except India have expressed interest in signing up for the PSL. It said that as of now, the PSL team has consent from over 40 international players. In addition, top foreign coaches are also being roped in for the first edition of the PSL.
The tournament will carry collective prize money of up to $1 million.
Najam Sethi also informed the newsmen about the interest of potential commercial stakeholders in the league.
“I can confirm that a number of parties are currently talking to us and are interested in picking up the franchises. Similarly, we have great interest being shown from broadcasters and sponsors,” Sethi said.
The PCB said that in line with the tournament commercial plan, rights for broadcast, sponsorship, and franchise ownership will be sold over the next three months. The board further said that the formal PSL launch will take place in Lahore in the third week of September.
