PCB registers profit from the inaugural season of Pakistan Super League

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has estimated an overall profit of $2.6 million from the edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in its governing board meeting. The findings of the report show PCB shared approximately $2 million among the five franchises which participated in the league, leaving the board with $600,000 for itself.

A PCB official told Daily Express that this leverage will not be available in the second edition of the cash-rich T20 league.

“Earning a profit in the very first edition was a landmark achievement,” said a PCB official talking to The Tribune. “We are expecting more income in the second edition.”

Scope for more:

Despite the profit, it is been stated that the franchise felt they could have made it into a bigger financial success had they got more time to market the teams and the tournament.

The first edition of the groundbreaking Pakistan Super League was held in February 2016 in the UAE and comprised of five franchises –Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators- competing for the coveted title. The tournament featured top T20 star from around the world and concluded with Islamabad United being crowned as the eventual winners.

Zero tolerance to corruption:

Hosting such a lucrative league is a great responsibility more than anything else and the PCB, taking a cue from the past disgraceful incidents which have taken place in other leagues, has vowed to have a firm stance against corruption and other activities which stand against the dignity of the sport.

“PCB Security & Anti-Corruption is aware of the fact that after the success of the first edition, PSL 2017 is more vulnerable with regard to corrupt practices,” Col. R Mohammad Azam Khan PCB’s Senior General Manager Vigilance told The Express Tribune.

“Professional anti-corruption officers [integrity officers] will be designated with each team to ensure implementation of PCB anti-corruption code and player’s code of conduct. All the matches will be monitored by Sportradar for analysis of any unusual betting activity in the international market.”

“Integrity officers will physically monitor the activities of all the players and support staff to protect them from honey traps, persona non grata and innocent gimmicks,” he said. “They will be categorised as per their vulnerability and designated integrity officers would pay special attention towards them, highlighting the ill-effects of involvement in any corrupt practice.”