PSL team owners unhappy with PCB allowing Pakistani cricketers to participate in T10 League

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently granted NOCs to the Pakistani cricketers willing to play in the inaugural edition of the T10 Cricket League in the UAE. The owners of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) are reportedly unhappy with the move as they feel that the new league would hamper the reputation of the homegrown PSL league. The main point that the teams have put forth is the fact that the Indian counterparts have sent even a single player in the T10 League, where five out of six team owners are Indians.

Earlier, the PCB had noted that they would hold discussions with the PSL team owners before arriving at a decision on the same. But a hurried call to send the players for the T10 league has left the franchise owners unimpressed. Many claimed that if the Pakistani players participate in the T10 league, a format which is not sanctioned by the ICC, then it would turn out to be like a mini-PSL ahead of the popular T20 league.

PSL teams writing to the PCB

Earlier on September 4, 2017, as per the reports in Geo.tv, the officials of the Karachi Kings had noted that such new leagues would jeopardize the potential sponsors of the Pakistan Super League in Dubai. They had written, “we all agree to point that November and December are the crucial months for us to finalise the sponsors. In this regard, we would request you kindly look into this matter and take some possible action to restrict the tournament like not allowing Pakistani players to participate and play for this league.”

Meanwhile, the representatives of the Lahore Qalandars and the Peshawar Zalmi feel that the T10 League could serve as a pathway for bookies to blackmail Pakistani cricketers and hence eventually enter the homegrown T20 league as well. “With such huge Indian funding in T-10 league, it is most likely that Pakistani players would be trapped and later blacked mailed by the bookies to manage them in the PSL. T-10 league is actually a bookies’ gateway for PSL and it is not recognised or regulated by ICC,” they had remarked.

Former cricketers voice their concerns

Meanwhile, former cricketers have also expressed their unhappiness with the decision. Zaheer Abbass and Javed Miandad have voiced out their concerns citing that the timing of the league is not proper. Moreover, decision to send in the players in an unofficial tournament is a big risk that the PCB is taking with its players. “The timing isn’t good to let Pakistani players play this league which may become competitor of PSL,” Zaheer Abbas quoted.

PCB clarifies its stance

However, the PCB Chairman, Najam Sethi has exclaimed that the board is not violating in principle by allowing the players to participat in the league. Moreover, the fact that Pakistan shares good relations with Dubai is the reason that they had to oblige by sending in its players for the league.

“The T10 League Company is based out of Dubai and we have to oblige the host country as we have good relations. Also our players are getting exposure to more international cricket and sports is development. Rules have not been violated by PCB but PSL franchise owners are upset as it may compete with their financial interests however PCB has a larger goal of cricket development in mind also,” Najam Sethi quoted.