PCB announces title sponsor, franchise owners and broadcasters for PSL

PCB announces title sponsor, franchise owners and broadcasters for PSL: The inaugural edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be played in the United Arab Emirates; Pakistan cricket team’s adopted home since March 2009, from February 4 to February 24, 2016. As reported earlier, the league will be played between five franchises or say provincial and the national capital of Pakistan: Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar.

In the most recent development today, Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the franchise owners of all five of the franchises. The owners were selected after a bidding process with the highest bidder gaining the rightful rights of a franchise.

Karachi franchise sparked the most interest amongst bidders, followed by the Lahore franchise. One can safely say that both the cities are the biggest of the country and home to the nation’s best cricketing talent. Salman Iqbal of the ‘ARY Group’ successfully bided for the Karachi franchise. Javed Afridi of ‘Haier Pakistan’ won the ownership of the Peshawar franchise.

Haier Pakistan is already the biggest sponsor of Pakistan’s domestic cricket and has sponsored many of Pakistan’s recent home series. Qatar-based oil company ‘Qatar Oils’ (QALCO) successfully negotiated for the Lahore franchise. UK-based ‘Leonine Global’ is the owner of Islamabad franchise while Karachi-based ‘Omar Group of Companies’ will be the owner of Quetta franchise.

Habib Bank Limited (HBL), Pakistan’s largest banking network, will be the title sponsors for the first three events of the Pakistan Super League.

Ten Sports and Pakistan Television Network (PTV) will have the broadcasting rights for PSL. Sunset+Vine will be responsible for the broadcast production. The company previously produced ICC World T20 Qualifiers and is currently producing the all-famous Barclays Premier League football competition of the United Kingdom.

The next step to PSL’s development is the choice of coaches and players which will be conducted through a draft and bidding process. The highest bidder will get the player for his team.