Pakistan Super League Postpones
Coordinator of Pakistan Super League, which has been strike by a notice over security concerns,
PCB had intended to start the Pakistan Super League (PSL) from March 26 as the first step towards bracing international cricket in the country.
No international cricket has been played in Pakistan since militants attacked on Sri Lankan Cricket team bus during a Test match in Lahore in 2009 and the country is still rocked by almost daily bombings and shootings.
The PAKISTAN CRICKET BOARD says around 80 overseas players have already signed for the league but a caution from the Federation of Cricketers Association to international players not to tour has also prompted Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa to hint their players will not feature in the PSL.
Despite the warnings, the PCB said the reason for postponement the Super League was that they needed more time to tackle the overwhelming response.
'PSL got an overwhelming response from sponsors, broadcasters and players. However, there are several other investors who would like us to give them more time for our various rights,' PSL managing director Salman Sarwar Butt said, without announcing new dates.
The PCB will be hard pressed to find another time slot soon as the sixth edition of the more lucrative and attractive Indian Premier League will be held April 3-May 26.
No international cricket has been played in Pakistan since militants attacked on Sri Lankan Cricket team bus during a Test match in Lahore in 2009 and the country is still rocked by almost daily bombings and shootings.
The PAKISTAN CRICKET BOARD says around 80 overseas players have already signed for the league but a caution from the Federation of Cricketers Association to international players not to tour has also prompted Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa to hint their players will not feature in the PSL.
Despite the warnings, the PCB said the reason for postponement the Super League was that they needed more time to tackle the overwhelming response.
'PSL got an overwhelming response from sponsors, broadcasters and players. However, there are several other investors who would like us to give them more time for our various rights,' PSL managing director Salman Sarwar Butt said, without announcing new dates.
The PCB will be hard pressed to find another time slot soon as the sixth edition of the more lucrative and attractive Indian Premier League will be held April 3-May 26.
Is the Pakistan Super League More Than Dream?
An EX- ICC CEO stated that world's top cricketers have signed up to participate in the Pakistan Super League (PSLT20), despite SECURITY concerns over the country.
Haroon Lorgat (A former ICC Chief Executive), the event's consultant, said he is amazed by the interest in the league from big players, who could earn up to $100,000 for the two-week tournament.
But the league's efforts to attract star players, including life insurance of $200000, have hit a difficulty as the Australian; England & South African cricket boards have stopped the players take part in the tournament (Pakistan Super League).
The tournament's possibility remains in question and the issue of player’s security continues to stop the tournament's progress.
Phil Mustard Eyes On $100, 000
Pakistan Super League : Ex-England wicketkeeper Phil Mustard says he really wants to play in the Pakistan Super League despite safety warnings. The particular international players' union (Fica) identified the security situation in Pakistan seeing that "unmanageable".
But with top players for sale $100, 000 (£63, 000) to the two-week tournament, Mustard believes the rewards outweigh the risks.
"I'd love to think that over the a couple weeks I could make a name for myself, " Mustard informed BBC Sport.
"But it's an auction-based factor and I'm not going go over to Pakistan and risk a few things for just $100, 000. "
Fica and England's Professional Cricketers' Affiliation (PCA) have called on players in order to avoid the 25 March-7 April competition due to concerns over security in Pakistan, which includes not hosted international cricket due to the fact gunmen attacked the Sri Lanka team bus in 2009.
The governing bodies of Quarterly report and South Africa have both indicated them to would not support contracted players collaborating.
But Durham's Mustard, 30, says they have been reassured by conversations along with fellow players and officials on the Bangladesh Premier League, where he's currently competing for the Barisal Burners.
"It only came to my attention about a week ago, " said Mustard, a big-hitting keeper-batsman who enjoyed 10 one-day internationals in 2007 and 2008 and has recently played Twenty20 cricket inside New Zealand and Zimbabwe.
"My agent got in effect and asked if I would be thinking about going. My first instinct was 'no' in Bangladesh I have spoken to a number of the Pakistan players and a number of guys from the ICC [International Cricket Council].
"They say it is all going to go on and the security will be amazing. There are going for being bullet-proof buses and everything in addition. "
Mustard, who is committed with two children, aged 6 and four, says his wife may be supportive of his decision.
"She is pretty happy for me personally to go and if she actually is happy I'm happy, " he said. "The money does really help me along with the family. "
Mustard is one of a number of English county players weighing up whether to enter the gamer auction on 24 February, which organisers say will feature at the very least 50 overseas players.
Former Britain fast bowler Ajmal Shahzad, Leicestershire and Ireland wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien, Lancashire's Kabir Ali and Mooen Ali of Worcestershire are all regarded as interested in taking part.
As a way to compete, however, any player contracted to an English county will need a No Objection Certificate (NOCs) agreed upon off by their club along with the England & Wales Cricket Table (ECB).
The PCA is regarded as urging the ECB to deny NOCs, but the English board is anticipating the counties to take the lead.
Durham said they were impossible to grant him permission to play inside the tournament because it finishes three days before the start of the County Championship season.
"We have had a clear indication in the PCA and the ECB that there are genuine safety concerns but in that respect it should ultimately be Phil's final call, " chief executive Jesse Harker told BBC Sport.
"However, from a pure cricketing point of view the timing isn't good and we will probably decline more because of the potential interference with the start of our season. "
Should some other counties follow Durham's lead, the Pakistan Super League could occur without any players from Britain, Australia or South Africa, a predicament that would disappoint Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi.
"Pakistan cricket is suffering because of non-cooperation which is high time that other nations give rise to our efforts, " he stated. "Don't leave us alone, inches.
But with top players for sale $100, 000 (£63, 000) to the two-week tournament, Mustard believes the rewards outweigh the risks.
"I'd love to think that over the a couple weeks I could make a name for myself, " Mustard informed BBC Sport.
"But it's an auction-based factor and I'm not going go over to Pakistan and risk a few things for just $100, 000. "
Fica and England's Professional Cricketers' Affiliation (PCA) have called on players in order to avoid the 25 March-7 April competition due to concerns over security in Pakistan, which includes not hosted international cricket due to the fact gunmen attacked the Sri Lanka team bus in 2009.
The governing bodies of Quarterly report and South Africa have both indicated them to would not support contracted players collaborating.
But Durham's Mustard, 30, says they have been reassured by conversations along with fellow players and officials on the Bangladesh Premier League, where he's currently competing for the Barisal Burners.
"It only came to my attention about a week ago, " said Mustard, a big-hitting keeper-batsman who enjoyed 10 one-day internationals in 2007 and 2008 and has recently played Twenty20 cricket inside New Zealand and Zimbabwe.
"My agent got in effect and asked if I would be thinking about going. My first instinct was 'no' in Bangladesh I have spoken to a number of the Pakistan players and a number of guys from the ICC [International Cricket Council].
"They say it is all going to go on and the security will be amazing. There are going for being bullet-proof buses and everything in addition. "
Mustard, who is committed with two children, aged 6 and four, says his wife may be supportive of his decision.
"She is pretty happy for me personally to go and if she actually is happy I'm happy, " he said. "The money does really help me along with the family. "
Mustard is one of a number of English county players weighing up whether to enter the gamer auction on 24 February, which organisers say will feature at the very least 50 overseas players.
Former Britain fast bowler Ajmal Shahzad, Leicestershire and Ireland wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien, Lancashire's Kabir Ali and Mooen Ali of Worcestershire are all regarded as interested in taking part.
As a way to compete, however, any player contracted to an English county will need a No Objection Certificate (NOCs) agreed upon off by their club along with the England & Wales Cricket Table (ECB).
The PCA is regarded as urging the ECB to deny NOCs, but the English board is anticipating the counties to take the lead.
Durham said they were impossible to grant him permission to play inside the tournament because it finishes three days before the start of the County Championship season.
"We have had a clear indication in the PCA and the ECB that there are genuine safety concerns but in that respect it should ultimately be Phil's final call, " chief executive Jesse Harker told BBC Sport.
"However, from a pure cricketing point of view the timing isn't good and we will probably decline more because of the potential interference with the start of our season. "
Should some other counties follow Durham's lead, the Pakistan Super League could occur without any players from Britain, Australia or South Africa, a predicament that would disappoint Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi.
"Pakistan cricket is suffering because of non-cooperation which is high time that other nations give rise to our efforts, " he stated. "Don't leave us alone, inches.
Pakistan Super League will have Big Players
Pakistan Super League Big international cricketers have signed up to compete in the Pakistan Super League despite security concerns, according to the event's top adviser.
Former International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat said players could earn at least $100,000 (£63,476) for the two-week tournament.
Lorgat rebuffed claims from players' union boss Tim May that players would stay away because Pakistan is unsafe.
"There are already signed commitments in place," Lorgat told BBC Sport.
"I am quite astounded by the reception of broadcast interest and sponsors interest and by some good players.
"At this stage I am not at liberty to release names, but they are from across the globe."
The Pakistan Super League (PSL), scheduled for 26 March to 7 April, is being billed as a chance to prove that the country is ready to host top-level international cricket for the first time since gunmen attacked the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009, killing seven policemen and injuring six players.
But the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (Fica), of which May is chief executive, is urging players not to take part in the tournament after receiving worrying reports on the current level of danger from an independent security firm.
"The security consultants came back and said that the risk of touring Pakistan in a cricketing sense is unmanageable," former Australia off-spinner May told BBC Sport last week. "I think you'll find the majority of current international cricketers will heed our advice."
Lorgat, however, cast doubt on the security advice and argued that the city of Lahore - wherePSL matches will take place - is safer than other areas.
"I can understand where Tim is coming from but I'm not sure if these agencies have been to Pakistan, or been to Lahore and done the assessment on the ground," said Lorgat, who served as ICC chief executive from 2008 to 2012.
"I've been to Lahore on a number of occasions in the last few months and I'm quite comforted by what I see. I'm also getting an understanding and appreciation that some of the unsafe areas are not where the games will be played.
"In my days back in South Africa there were certain no-go areas because you were setting yourself up to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and I see the same thing in Pakistan."
The PSL player auction will take place on 24 February with players divided into categories.
Bidding for players in the diamond category will start at $100,000, players in the platinum category $75,000, $50,000 for gold category, $25,000 for silver category while emerging players will be paid $5,000-$10,000.
Players have been offered life insurance cover of up to $2m (£1.26m) to play in the competition, the Daily Telegraph reported last week.
English players will only be allowed to compete if they receive "No Objection Certificates" from the England & Wales Cricket Board, with counties believed to be concerned by the proximity to the start of the County Championship season on 10 April.
Lorgat feels the tournament is an essential step on the road to Pakistan welcoming international matches again, having played the majority of their "home" matches in the United Arab Emirates for the past four years, as well as in England and New Zealand.
"It's safe to say Pakistan have had a very unpleasant few years not being able to play cricket at home and it's perfectly understandable that most of the other cricket nations were unwilling to go there but we can't have that situation for ever," he said.
"We are a family of cricket members and we have to do what we can to support them. Without it, it will be really difficult for them to sustain growth and levels of interest in the game."
Former International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat said players could earn at least $100,000 (£63,476) for the two-week tournament.
Lorgat rebuffed claims from players' union boss Tim May that players would stay away because Pakistan is unsafe.
"There are already signed commitments in place," Lorgat told BBC Sport.
"I am quite astounded by the reception of broadcast interest and sponsors interest and by some good players.
"At this stage I am not at liberty to release names, but they are from across the globe."
The Pakistan Super League (PSL), scheduled for 26 March to 7 April, is being billed as a chance to prove that the country is ready to host top-level international cricket for the first time since gunmen attacked the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009, killing seven policemen and injuring six players.
But the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (Fica), of which May is chief executive, is urging players not to take part in the tournament after receiving worrying reports on the current level of danger from an independent security firm.
"The security consultants came back and said that the risk of touring Pakistan in a cricketing sense is unmanageable," former Australia off-spinner May told BBC Sport last week. "I think you'll find the majority of current international cricketers will heed our advice."
Lorgat, however, cast doubt on the security advice and argued that the city of Lahore - wherePSL matches will take place - is safer than other areas.
"I can understand where Tim is coming from but I'm not sure if these agencies have been to Pakistan, or been to Lahore and done the assessment on the ground," said Lorgat, who served as ICC chief executive from 2008 to 2012.
"I've been to Lahore on a number of occasions in the last few months and I'm quite comforted by what I see. I'm also getting an understanding and appreciation that some of the unsafe areas are not where the games will be played.
"In my days back in South Africa there were certain no-go areas because you were setting yourself up to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and I see the same thing in Pakistan."
The PSL player auction will take place on 24 February with players divided into categories.
Bidding for players in the diamond category will start at $100,000, players in the platinum category $75,000, $50,000 for gold category, $25,000 for silver category while emerging players will be paid $5,000-$10,000.
Players have been offered life insurance cover of up to $2m (£1.26m) to play in the competition, the Daily Telegraph reported last week.
English players will only be allowed to compete if they receive "No Objection Certificates" from the England & Wales Cricket Board, with counties believed to be concerned by the proximity to the start of the County Championship season on 10 April.
Lorgat feels the tournament is an essential step on the road to Pakistan welcoming international matches again, having played the majority of their "home" matches in the United Arab Emirates for the past four years, as well as in England and New Zealand.
"It's safe to say Pakistan have had a very unpleasant few years not being able to play cricket at home and it's perfectly understandable that most of the other cricket nations were unwilling to go there but we can't have that situation for ever," he said.
"We are a family of cricket members and we have to do what we can to support them. Without it, it will be really difficult for them to sustain growth and levels of interest in the game."
Pakistan Super League: PCB offers $2m Insurance to Foreign Cricketers
Pakistan Super League Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Zaka Ashraf on Thursday offered foreign players insurance worth $2 million and up to $100,000 tax free income in a bid to lure them to join the troubled country’s new Twenty20 league.
The world professional cricketers’ union has warned players against taking part in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), due to start in March, because of the “unmanageable” security risk.
Absolutely no global cricket may be competed near you because militants assaulted the particular Sri Lankan staff shuttle during a Check match up inside Lahore just last year.
Zaka Ashraf, the particular chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), mentioned these folks were ready to present insurance to help any gambler wanting to excursion america.
“It’s extra protection as well as elective for that participants in case they wish to go for that full satisfaction of their families, ” Ashraf informed AFP.
“It are going to be worthy of 2 zillion us dollars as well as certainly duty totally free revenue for all those. ”
Ashraf mentioned they has been determined to revive residence internationals, however the PCB faces a hardcore difficult task. Two times in past times 12 a few months Bangladesh include decided to a new excursion and then the dash diet Pakistani hopes by means of transforming their own thoughts on account of protection fears.
Avid gamers have to help generate in between $25, 000 as well as $100, 000 intended for taking part in the particular two-week competition within the salary framework the particular PCB reported upon Thursday.
The world professional cricketers’ union has warned players against taking part in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), due to start in March, because of the “unmanageable” security risk.
Absolutely no global cricket may be competed near you because militants assaulted the particular Sri Lankan staff shuttle during a Check match up inside Lahore just last year.
Zaka Ashraf, the particular chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), mentioned these folks were ready to present insurance to help any gambler wanting to excursion america.
“It’s extra protection as well as elective for that participants in case they wish to go for that full satisfaction of their families, ” Ashraf informed AFP.
“It are going to be worthy of 2 zillion us dollars as well as certainly duty totally free revenue for all those. ”
Ashraf mentioned they has been determined to revive residence internationals, however the PCB faces a hardcore difficult task. Two times in past times 12 a few months Bangladesh include decided to a new excursion and then the dash diet Pakistani hopes by means of transforming their own thoughts on account of protection fears.
Avid gamers have to help generate in between $25, 000 as well as $100, 000 intended for taking part in the particular two-week competition within the salary framework the particular PCB reported upon Thursday.
PCB Announced Pakistan Super League T20 in March 2013
There has been no top-class international cricket in Pakistan since militants attacked the Sri Lankan team in March 2009, killing eight Pakistanis and wounding seven visiting players.
Foreign teams have shunned the country over security fears, leaving Pakistan to play its home series in England and the United Arab Emirates.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) plans to host a Twenty20 league on the lines of the glitzy, cash-rich Indian Premier League, which has featured more than 100 foreign players since its inception in 2008.
The logo of the Pakistan Super League was unveiled at a colourful ceremony in Lahore, with PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf, former International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat and Pakistan captains Mohammad Hafeez and Misbah-ul Haq in attendance.
The PCB has appointed Haroon Lorgat, former International Cricket Council (ICC) CEO, as advisor of the PSL and Salman Sarvar Butt as managing director the league.
The super league is planned from March 24 in Lahore, a day after Pakistan’s tour to South Africa ends. Pakistan Super League will have 5 teams for first three editions.
Source said that the PCB is paying Haroon Lorgat USD 25,000 monthly to work as advisor for the tournament.
“With the rising popularity of Twenty20 cricket, every ICC member country has the right to host its own league. Pakistan has done hard work and I hope with foreign players’ participation, perceptions about the country will change,” Lorgat said.
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