PSL franchises concerned about event's future after Najam Sethi's resignation

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) first saw the daylight in 2016 when all the matches of the event were played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Islamabad United became the champions of the inaugural edition of the tournament. In the next year, the event returned to Pakistan when Peshawar Zalmi won the PSL by winning the final at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

This year, as many as three matches were hosted in Pakistan and Islamabad United won the championship for the second time, beating the Zalmi in the final at National Stadium in Karachi. In the meantime, the PSL franchise owners are concerned about the event’s future after the resignation of Najam Sethi, the former chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

What are the concerns?

Following Sethi’s step down, Ehsan Mani, the former president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) was appointed as the new PCB chairman in the board’s election conducted on September 4. Sethi hung his boots after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, led by former Pakistani all-round cricketer Imran Khan formed their government, as per reports in The Express Tribune.

The league’s management is one of the reasons for concern. The franchises are waiting for the board to confirm if changes will be implemented in the event. The broadcasting deal is the other conundrum for them and it’s yet to be finalised. PCB is expected to generate $75 million in the deal out of which 85 percent will be distributed among the franchises.

The cricket board is also yet to zero in on the title sponsorship. Moreover, it has been learned that Mani is likely to hold a meeting of the PSL governing council on September 15. In the meeting, he is expected to reassure the owners that no changes will be implemented in the T20 tournament after his appointment.

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