Pakistan Cricket Board seek Twenty20 League

May 15th, 2008 Sana · No Comments

After speculation that the England and Wales Cricket Board might investigate the possibility of setting up a league to rival the money-spinning Indian Premier League, it has emerged that the Pakistan Cricket Board are also hoping to climb aboard the Twenty20 league bandwagon.

Taking a cue from the IPL, the Pakistan Cricket Board met yesterday to discuss a proposed “Pakistan Premier League”, which would likely be based on a similar format to that of the IPL. Board members are believed to see it as a positive step towards establishing domestic cricket in the country, and will give the green light when sponsorship and timetabling allows.

Business and commerce are already expressing curiosity in the venture, according to PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf, who expressed that the board are now waiting to confirm the interest.

Ashraf explained: “We will be waiting for a suitable time to start the tournament as many corporate institutions here have also shown their willingness to sponsor the event.”

The move towards setting up a new league is unlikely to gather steam too soon. Present and future tours scheduled by the International Cricket Council will not leave any room for a new tournament for some time.

“There is presently no gap available for organising such an event and the PCB would be working on the details,” Ashraf said.

Rumours of a Pakistani edition of the Twenty20 league began late last year, setting an initial target of beginning in Oct 2008 with six franchised teams, each with four foreign players.

However, the version of the PPL unveiled yesterday involves 13 teams based on the number of regions in the domestic set-up, while each side would be allowed two foreign players. Priority would remain with local players, however, according to Ashraf.