LAHORE, Jan 23: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is not ready to take the Federation of International Cricketers Association (FICA) into confidence about the security arrangements it will make for smooth conduct of the first edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“The PCB does not recognise FICA. Therefore, we cannot hold negotiations with the body which we don’t recognise. Our stance is very much clear,” PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed said at a news conference, which was jointly addressed by PSL’s adviser Haroon Lorgat, also a former ICC chief executive, and managing director Salman Sarwar Butt here on Wednesday.

“However, if any player affiliated with the FICA wants any clarification regarding the security situation in Pakistan, we can satisfy him,” he added.

To a question about the response of Indian players for the PSL, Subhan said he could not say a word at that stage since the PCB had written letters to all the cricket boards of the world to send their players and the names of the players taking part in the league would be announced later.

However, Lorgat was quite optimistic about the PSL and said the team headed by Salman Sarwar Butt had done a great job.

He added that more work would be done to make the PSL successful.

Reacting to the statement of FICA, Lorgat said that was not against the PSL but about the security situation in Pakistan.

He said he did not agree with the views of the association as it was against the ground reality.

“I am watching the situation while sitting in Lahore and I feel the reality is different,” he said.

“These statements are negative and do not help in preparations and boosting the confidence of the players as many of them are yet to take the decision about their participation in the league.

“Fortunately, there are many cricketers who trust PCB’s assurance and understand the situation,” he said.

“A couple of weeks back ICC Chief Executive (Dave Richardson) was in Lahore and he witnessed the situation in Pakistan personally,” Lorgat underlined.

“I am also sure that the government of Punjab will do its best for the smooth conduct of PSL,” he said.

Meanwhile, to a question, managing director Salman said the venue for the PSL would be announced shortly.

“There are some considerations in selecting the venue for the league and we are now very close to announcing it,” Salman said.

To another question, he refuted the impression that the PSL might be held at any offshore venue.

“At the moment we have a very clear direction to hold the event in Pakistan and there is no other option on the table,” he asserted.

He also announced the five categories and base prize of each category for the PSL players.

According to it, the players who fall under the Diamond category will get US$100,000 as base prize. The other categories and their base prizes are: Platinum category (US$75,000), Gold category (US$50,000) and Silver category (US$25,000).

For the Emerging Players’ category, the base prize varies from US$5,000 to US$10,000.

Salman said the auction of the players would be held in the last week of February.

He said bids for title and co-sponsorship would be asked from Thursday, claiming there was an overwhelming response from franchises and broadcasters.—Sports Reporter