PCB announces to launch its own franchise-based T20 league

Lahore : PCB has announced that it will launch its own franchise-based T20 league with the first season scheduled to take place in the UAE next year, said Chairman PCB Shahayar M. Khan at the 36^th meeting of the Board of Governors, held at the National Cricket Academy here today.

The meeting was also attended by Najam Sethi, Chairman Executive Committee, Zafar Mehmood, WAPDA, Shakeel Ahmed Sheikh, Chairman Cricket Committee, Gul Zada, Peshawar Region, Mansoor Masood Khan, UBL, Professor Ijaz Ahmed Faruqi, Karachi Region, and Amjad Latif, SNGPL. Subhan Ahmed, COO, and Badar Manzoor Khan, CFO, were also present.
In April this year, PCB engaged Repucom – a globally trusted company with extensive experience in the sports industry – in a consultancy role. Based on the company’s preliminary findings, the Board of Governors discussed three major questions related to the league. It was decided in principle that PCB will organize the league on its own and will not outsource it to any other organization. It was also unanimously decided that the first edition of the league will take place in UAE with an aim of attracting maximum number of foreign players. The Board of Governors discussed the TOR and decided that the league’s Lead Manager should be a leading professional of international repute.
The Board of Governors further approved recommendations for domestic cricket drawn up by PCB’s Cricket Committee. These recommendations were presented to the Board by Chairman Cricket Committee, Mr. Shakeel Ahmed Sheikh.

Talking about the successful tour of Zimbabwe, all members congratulated all PCB officials on successfully organizing the first full-member series at home after six years. “We are extremely grateful to the government, police and all other security agencies for their cooperation, and this tour was a great message for other teams to tour Pakistan in the future,” said Chairman PCB.

As part of a broader plan for the future, Chairman PCB stressed on improving grassroots cricket, fitness standards, and making domestic cricket more competitive. He invited Board members to share their suggestions in this regard.

The Board members congratulated Pakistan’s iconic batsman, Zaheer Abbas, on
being named as the next ICC President. They also appreciated Najam Sethi’s gesture of withdrawing his name to honor a Pakistani cricketer.