Haroon Lorgat, the PCB’s consultant for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is trying to convince the Cricket South Africa (CSA) board members to issue “No Objection Certificates” to their players to play in Pakistan, it is learnt. It was believed that Cricket Australia and CSA have denied their players to participate in PSL for the security reason. However, according to the new CSA president, Chris Nenzani, no decision has been taken in this regard yet. Speaking exclusively over telephone from SA, he said, “at this stage I am not aware of any approach / request by Pakistan Cricket Board to Cricket South Africa regarding the possibility of South African players playing in Pakistan. When such a request is received we will deal with it having due regard to all relevant factors.” Haroon Lorgat, the former ICC CEO is believed to be one of the candidates for the similar post with CSA board. “The process of the appointment of a CEO for CSA is at its infancy stage and the closing date was February 5, 2013. Whether or not Lorgat is one of the applicants is something I cannot confirm at this stage”. “The new Board will apply its mind and make the necessary announcements at the appropriate time”, Nenzani added. There seems to be a possibility of shifting the PSL out of Pakistan. Though no official word has been out in this regard, however, one of the venues in UAE (Sharjah, Dubai or Abu Dhabi) is not ruled out either. UAE has been a most-common hunting venue for the PCB as international matches have not been played in Pakistan after the Lahore Test attack on Sri Lankan players four years ago. Syed B. Refaie, the executive director and the man behind the show for the PSL has been approaching players all over the world and is also hopeful of signing IPL’s non-sold players soon.
