Premier league to be finalised in month’s time: PCB

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is confident about finalising its Premier League Twenty20 competition in a month’s time after receiving a series of presentations from foreign and local broadcasters and sports management companies. “Right now the presentations are hovering around the concept of the premier league for Pakistan. The financial and other aspects of the event will be finalised later on,” a PCB official was quoted as saying on Saturday. He, however, made it clear that from the initial presentations made to the PCB it appeared as if the board would not have to shell money out of its own coffers and the costs of the Premier League would be financed through sponsors, broadcasting rights and other avenues. “In fact we are hopeful that we might end up making profits from the first season of the Premier League,” he said. The PCB official admitted that at some presentations they were suggestions that due to security concerns in Pakistan the tournament should be held in the UAE.

“But the PCB’s point is very clear that the event will be launched from Pakistan. Our feeling is that if we start the Premier League from abroad it would be difficult to get it back to Pakistan,” the official said. He said at most presentations the board was assured that foreign players could be convinced to take part in the tournament.

“The league should get its name in a month’s time if everything goes according to plan,” the official said. The official added that three more presentations were lined up for the next week. “The most positive aspect has been that parties and sponsors have shown interest to be part of PCB’s league,” he added.