Five base slaps of the players to be auctioned in Pakistan Super League were announced here on Wednesday and the highest base price of a player is US $ 100,000 in Diamond category. This was stated by General Manager PSL, Salman Sarwar Butt at a news conference along with Haroon Lorgat, consultant of the league and Subhan Ahmed, Chief Operating Officer, Pakistan Cricket Board at Gadaffi Stadium. Salman Butt said the five categories announced also include Platinum UD $75000, Gold US $50000, Silver UD $25000 and emerging US $5000 to 10000.
“These are the base slaps of each category and we will determine the value and placing of players in respective slaps based on their standing and ranking in the game,” he added. He said broadcasting companies are showing overwhelming response to buy the televising rights of the mega event which will go in action on March 26.
He dispelled the propaganda that the league will not be organized at its given time frame in the back drop of a negative campaign by the federation of international cricket players association which has expressed security concerns over the participation of foreign players in PSL. “We don’t agree to their statement what so ever it is , we know we are up to a big task and definitely we are going to achieve it with sheer hard work and commitment,” he asserted.
He termed the players association statement a negative campaign which will serve no purpose and carries no weight as players are independent to take the decision of their participation with mutual consent of respective cricket boards, if they are in contract with them (boards). Haroon Lorgat said they are getting significant progress to launch the league and different quarters are taking keen interest in buying different products of the league including players, teams, TV rights ,title sponsorship and co sponsors. “We will be naming the title sponsor and co sponsors shortly”, he said.
Salman Butt said players response to participate in the league is very encouraging and they look forward to a big participation of foreign players. To a question, he said, there is no option under consideration at the moment to shift the venue of the PSL in case situation is not conducive to organize the event in Pakistan. “Pakistan is the only option of the PSL for us,” he said.
He further added: “We will be finalizing the venue in Pakistan shortly after taking into consideration all the important aspects.” Salman said the auction of the teams will be completed in February. Subhan said PCB is fully determined to hold the league and it is in constant touch with the different cricket boards as far as the participation of foreign players is concerned. “ We are getting good progress with each passing way to organize the league in a trend setting manner . “He said the statement issued by players association will not restrict the foreign players to participate in the league .
