Pakistan Premier League: National cricketers join the bandwagon

[Dance]

KARACHI:
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) received a huge breakthrough in its bid to launch the Pakistan Premier League (PPL) when various national and international cricketers showed interest in featuring in the planned event.

The PCB, desperate to revive international cricket in Pakistan, is making huge efforts and using all its available resources to make the league a reality. The board, under chairman Zaka Ashraf, is confident that holding the tournament featuring renowned international cricketers will help a in reviving international cricket in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, according to an official close to the matter, following lukewarm response from foreign players after efforts from its officials, the PCB is now taking help from the country’s leading cricketers to use their personal relations and convince players to tour Pakistan.

“A senior member of the team is playing a vital role in this regard,” the official told The Express Tribune. “The cricketer’s representative is also in close touch with the PCB as well as foreign players on the issue. He’s already given a presentation which was impressive and is set to give an important one later this month.”

Jayasuryia, Symonds on board

The official added that the player helped get confirmation from former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya and retired Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds with both agreeing to be part of the league straight away. The name of West Indian legend Brian Lara has already been linked with PPL.

“These players have promised to feature whenever they are invited. This is just the beginning and we are expecting more confirmations. Although these cricketers have passed their prime, their participation will convince other players to come forward. The PCB will also take help from other players who feature on foreign tournaments regularly.”

Meanwhile, according to reports, four companies have shown interest in being associated with the league, a development that has encouraged the PCB. The idea was first floated by former chairman Nasim Ashraf in 2007 but, under Ijaz Butt, the plan was abandoned. However, the success of similar leagues in Bangladesh, Australia and South Africa, after the success of the IPL in India, prompted the board to re-launch its efforts.

Pakistan Premier League: National cricketers join the bandwagon – The Express Tribune

 

[Hyde]

ballay!!

Brian Lara???????????

I hope that is true

 

[Dance]

ballay!!

Brian Lara???????????

I hope that is true

Same! This will be a good way to boost Pakistan's image internationally and bring back big sporting events to Pakistan

 

[darkinsky]

retired oldies , we can be better than that, but it may good for starting the event, the better ones may join later

 

[Dance]

retired oldies , we can be better than that, but it may good for starting the event, the better ones may join later

It's a starting point.

There's still this "unsafe and dangerous image" out there of Pakistan that needs to be rid of.

 

[WAR-rior]

@ darkinsky : cmon dude, its better to start this way than nothing. khane ko daana nahin aur roti ko mana kar rahe ho, upar se bolte ho ki tandoori chicken chahiye. whatever.

 

[darkinsky]

@ darkinsky : cmon dude, its better to start this way than nothing. khane ko daana nahin aur roti ko mana kar rahe ho, upar se bolte ho ki tandoori chicken chahiye. whatever.

yup you are right, but i still thing getting likes of chris gayle and brad hodge and couple of current famous srilankan and kiwi players will be good, esp lankans

 

[Karachiite]

Sohail Tanvir has confirmed that Chris Gayle, Brad Hogg and Brad Hodge are interested in playing in the PPL as well. Shahid Afridi said that he has convinced a few other well known players to come to Pakistan and play there as well. I'm sure that many other foreign players are going to be interested as well.

Money says jump cat says how high?

 

[darkinsky]

Sohail Tanvir has confirmed that Chris Gayle, Brad Hogg and Brad Hodge are interested in playing in the PPL as well. Shahid Afridi said that he has convinced a few other well known players to come to Pakistan and play there as well. I'm sure that many other foreign players are going to be interested as well.

Money says jump cat says how high?

many lankan players can be lured in, they are short on money

 

[Dance]

I don't know how reliable this news source is but...


‘Chris Gayle, Brad Hodge ready to play in Pakistan’

Lahore: As no international team has agreed to play in Pakistan since the March 2009 attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning to organise Pakistan Premier League (PPL) to revive international cricket in the country, left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir revealed on Wednesday that several international players are ready play in Pakistan if they are offered attractive deals in the proposed PPL.
Talking in a state-run sports channel programme, Tanvir said that he had discussed PPL’s plan with the international cricketers when he was in Australia and Bangladesh to play Big Bash and Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
He said that a number of international players, including Chris Gayle, Brad Hogg and Brad Hodge were ready to play in Pakistan if offered handsome amount.
He said the league cricket was all about money and entertainment therefore international cricketers could be attracted through money to play in the country.

‘Chris Gayle, Brad Hodge ready to play in Pakistan’ | The News Tribe

 

[RazPaK]

Awesome news!

It won't be all flash like other leagues, but I hope to see some real talent.

 

[airmarshal]

@ darkinsky : cmon dude, its better to start this way than nothing. khane ko daana nahin aur roti ko mana kar rahe ho, upar se bolte ho ki tandoori chicken chahiye. whatever.

lol. well said.

 

[Gautam]

i don't think good and established team or player will go to pakistan. pcb can just start PPL with some local and afghan players. may be some bangladeshis. but expecting cricket star in pakistan is not gonna happen for the next 3 - 4 years at least.

 

[Dance]

i don't think good and established team or player will go to pakistan. pcb can just start PPL with some local and afghan players. may be some bangladeshis. but expecting cricket star in pakistan is not gonna happen for the next 3 - 4 years at least.

Players are already interested (read the article) and if you give them enough money, they'll come.

 

[darkinsky]

i don't think good and established team or player will go to pakistan. pcb can just start PPL with some local and afghan players. may be some bangladeshis. but expecting cricket star in pakistan is not gonna happen for the next 3 - 4 years at least.

and who are you to say that, its not for you to decide