International cricketers are keen to take part in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin confirmed to join it. Haddin was an important member of the Michael Clarke-led Australian team before he retired from test cricket after the Ashes loss to the England cricket team. Top cricketers including Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, Shakib Al Hasan, Lasith Malinga, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Dwayne Bravo are also expected to feature in the tournament.
About two dozen foreign cricketers will feature in the PSL. The PCB will be selling the players via a draft and will in all probability hold an auction for the teams. The League has already floated tenders for broadcasters and producers. This will be followed by a tendering process for sponsorships in the second week of October. Franchise owners will be inducted between mid to end November after which the foreign and local players will be drafted and teams constituted.
Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar wants to own an outfit in the League, a franchise-based T20 tournament scheduled to kick-off from February next year. Former skipper Wasim Akram said, "Pakistan needed such a league so we all have to support the league and some good work is done for hosting this in the Gulf state and I am sure it will help lift Pakistan cricket." The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced that the League will take place between February 4 and 24 next year in Dubai and Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates, during which a total of 24 matches will be played over a 21-day period.
Five teams - Quetta, Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore, and Islamabad - will be vying for glory in the first edition of PSL. The teams will comprise the top T20 players from the world with the latest tally of foreign player signing consents standing at an impressive 132. The players will be selected through a draft process in December. The League will offer up to $1 million prize money. Each franchise will be able to draft players and coaches for the team within a budget of $1 million.