PSL10 Likely to be Held Abroad, Franchises Seek Renowned Foreign Players

The 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is poised to make a significant change as the six franchises have expressed interest in hosting the tournament abroad, specifically in England or Dubai. The PCB has taken note of the request and has assured the franchises that it will facilitate the inclusion of notable foreign players, especially those who went unsold in the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction.

The PCB's decision to enable the participation of renowned overseas players has come as a positive development, with the franchises also requesting financial assistance to pick top foreign cricketers for the tournament. Additionally, the franchises have urged the PCB to establish communication with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to ensure that English players can participate in the league. However, the ECB's hard stance on not issuing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for players participating in overseas leagues that clash with the domestic season may affect English players' participation.

As PSL10 is set to clash with the cash-rich IPL, which will take place between April and May, the PSL is exploring the option of targeting unsold players from the recent IPL mega auction. This strategy is aimed at attracting top talent from the Indian league to the PSL. The PSL franchise owners have approached the PCB to contact the agents of unsold IPL players, specifically those of David Warner, Kane Williamson, and Adil Rashid, to confirm their availability for the tournament. The PCB is planning to hold the PSL 2024 draft abroad, following the example set by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which has been hosting the IPL auctions overseas for the past two years.

Some notable international players who have been approached for the PSL 2024 draft include Steve Smith, Jonny Bairstow, Finn Allen, Keshav Maharaj, Shakib Al Hasan, Jimmy Neesham, and Tim Southee. The draft date is expected to be finalized after the next meeting between the franchises and the PSL management. The management awaits the availability of Salman Nasir, who is involved in Champions Trophy responsibilities, to schedule the next meeting and subsequently finalize the tournament details.

The development move indicates the PSL's determination to become a more competitive and attractive tournament, possibly by using IPL's blueprint of incorporating more international talent and holding auctions overseas.