LAHORE: All the five franchises who have purchased the teams competing in the inaugural edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) have made their full and final payments to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

This was stated by PSL chairman Najam Sethi at the Board of Governors meeting held here on Friday.

However, it has been learnt some franchises were reluctant to make full payment which they have committed at the time of buying the teams for the next ten years due to some clauses and other iss­ues pertaining to team titles and inves­t­ments but only recently agreed to clear it.

The PSL is all set to commence in Dubai from Feb 4 with five teams namely Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United participating in it.

Adviser to PCB chairman Shaharyar M Khan, Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq, also attended the BoG meeting. Though Misbah appreciated the efforts of holding the PSL in such a short span, he pointed out that the representation of local emerging players, coaching staff, trainers, physio, umpires and referees should be increased in the next season.

Misbah also suggested the Board of Governors that the domestic season should not be held in extreme weather and preferably from September to November and from February to March which he said are the ideal months in Pakistan. Another advisor of the PCB chairman, Younis Khan could not attend the meeting due to prior engagements.

The PCB had also formed a committee to implement its new strategic plan, which would be headed by a member of the BoG, Zafar Mahmood (Wapda). Various sub-committees have also been formed to implement different actions. The implement committee, however, has been instructed to make such plans which could be implemented within the available resources of the PCB.

It may be mentioned here that the PCB is facing acute financial crisis after India did not fulfill its commitment to resume the bilateral series with Pakistan by being the guest at the neutral venues of the UAE last year. There are reports that the PCB may not even host the Commonwealth cricket team, which is scheduled to visit Pakistan in September, because it involves heavy expenses.

But interestingly, the BoG members have given the approval for creating a post of Director Estates, in place of a General Manager, whose contract has expired. More interestingly, the PCB believes directors are necessary for all the non-cricketing post but it is unimportant to have Director International or Domestic Cricket as both the departments are currently manned by general managers.

Meanwhile, the PCB issued a press release which stated: “The 39th PCB Board of Governors meeting was held here today at the National Cricket Academy with Chairman Shaharyar M. Khan presiding over the meeting.

“PCB chairman Shaharyar M Khan has said that prospect of revival of international cricket would be quite bright. He said that Misbah ul Haq and Younis Khan have been appointed adviser to the chairman. The board will continue to benefit from the expert opinion of these eminent cricketers in the decision making process of game development in the country. He also appreciated the valuable input of Misbah on cricketing matters. He said both Misbah and Younis’ views for the promotion of cricket would give strong impetus in the development of cricket.

“The PCB would undertake major initiative in strengthening domestic cricket, human resource development and attaining optimum level of efficiency,” he said.

“Chairman Executive Committee & Chairman Governing Council PSL Mr. Najam Sethi apprised the board that comprehensive administrative and operational mechanism has been evolved to execute a project of PSL magnitude in the UAE.

He further said that holding of PSL would be instrumental in strengthening the cricket system, provision of international exposure to our domestic players and patronage to our young players. He said that complete transparency and operational efficiency would be the dominant feature of implementation mechanism of this gigantic initiative of PCB.

“The Board has approved the creation of the post of Director Infrastructure and Real Estate in PCB to monitor and maximizing revenue from PCB properties and state management,” he informed.

“Chairman Cricket Committee Shakil Sheikh later briefed the board about the various steps taken for the promotion of domestic cricket in the country. Chairman Game Development committee Naeem Akhtar Gillani also briefed the board about the various initiatives taken for the development of the cricket in the country.

“The Board has approved that Annual General Meeting would be held on 14th April 2016. During the board of governing meeting one minute silence was observed in commemorating the martyrs of Charsadda incident,” it stated.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2016