PCB mulling option to host T20 league in Qatar: report
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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has approached Qatar to host its own franchise-based T20 league in Doha, in February 2016, according to a report on the ESPNCricinfo website.
The PCB had initially announced that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be hosted in UAE, Pakistan's virtual home since 2009.
After failure of negotiations with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) a formal proposal is being sent to the Qatar Olympics Association, asking to upgrade the only cricket stadium in the country, the report said adding that, it is likely the PCB will wait another month before going forward with Doha as the alternative venue for the inaugural version of the league.
The franchise-based PSL, based on the same format as the Indian Premier League, was first set to begin in 2008-09 but was shelved on several occasions hitherto on the account of prevailing security situation in Pakistan.
Read: Shaharyar takes a somersault to throw weight behind PSL
The UAE was considered as the second option after Pakistan plunged into isolation in the aftermath of the March 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore.
The ECB had refused to lease out the three stadiums in the UAE to Pakistan, saying that the Masters Champions League (MCL) had already locked a deal, booking stadiums for the February window.
The Masters Champions League is a tournament for retired international cricketers which was unveiled at the Burj Al Arab on June this year. MCL has signed Wasim Akram, Brian Lara, Adam Gilchrist and Jacques Kallis as icon players for the tournament.
The ESPNCricinfo report adds that Doha is also seen by Pakistan as a potential venue to host their Under-19, Women and A games on a long-term basis.
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On DawnNews
Comments (40) Closed
Aug 02, 2015 02:57pm
I dont still understand this to be hosted in Qatar.
Start this in Pakistan, this will help convince the teams to visit Pakistan even if we dont have many foreign players playing....
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Aug 02, 2015 03:03pm
Almost every Pakistani comment ridicule IPL as 'corrupt', then why should Pakistan launch its own version of IPL ?
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Aug 02, 2015 03:15pm
UAE is a better option. With all the bad publicity Qatar has received due to their in human working conditions preparing for Football WorldCup 2022.
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Aug 02, 2015 03:24pm
How about Sri Lanka, or Bangladesh
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Aug 02, 2015 03:28pm
Is any one really interested in Ex players leauge,some sense must prevail .
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Aug 02, 2015 03:28pm
Why not Sri Lanka?
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Aug 02, 2015 03:30pm
PCB caught napping... Shows MCL managers are way professional than PCB counterparts...
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Aug 02, 2015 03:31pm
How can you force international teams to come to your country by hosting your own cricket league outside the country?
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Aug 02, 2015 03:34pm
The amount of money that will be used to organize matches in another country can be instead utilized to lure overseas players. They will come if you pay them well especially players from Zimbabwe, SL and SA.
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Aug 02, 2015 03:37pm
Commendable efforts by the board. As the security situation improves, I hope the next season of PSL will be held in Pakistan.
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Aug 02, 2015 03:38pm
Pakistan always sees downsides from all angles. Worst thing is other boards are not supportive. Dubai has been like a home to Pakistan and it should have had the 1st priority to host tournaments. PCB is not organised and should know whats going on around before starting PSL.
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Aug 02, 2015 03:42pm
they're used to mulling things over and over until it become a hatched conspiracy..
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Aug 02, 2015 04:21pm
Bunch of amateurs running this program.
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Aug 02, 2015 04:33pm
Why even make a league when its not in your own country
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Aug 02, 2015 04:39pm
Try to bring. Some low profile players and do it pak. Push for this many players will come
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Aug 02, 2015 04:46pm
I think the security situation in Pakistan is much better now, and Pakistan can use its own resources and stadiums, rather than running around after leased stadiums
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Aug 02, 2015 05:35pm
@TRUTH The truth is UAE and Dubai have told PCB in clear terms that Pakistan will not be allowed to play in UAE . Remember the comment of UAE minister that Pakistan will pay heavy price for not supporting them? Like it or not but it's the truth.
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Aug 02, 2015 05:57pm
Qatar has stopped issuing visas for Pakistani nationals for any jobs in the country, why should we benefit them through this economic activity!
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Aug 02, 2015 06:47pm
The league should be held in own country with whoever wants to play. Aiming for IPL like success straightaway is ambitious and one should be realistic.
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Aug 02, 2015 07:35pm
the psl should be played in Pakistan .Still forigen players will come although in a little number .but ultimately after some time they too will come in good numbers. by playing in Pakistan it will open awindow for forign countries to come to play cricket in pakistan
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Aug 02, 2015 07:56pm
Frankly speaking when other teams take our wicket it hurts, when we bounce them it is a joy but all my happiness is being able to identify with Pakistan. Damn care about foreign players, we have fantastic players and have to raise the standards. I come to watch MY players and would love to watch them in Pakistan.
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Aug 02, 2015 07:58pm
@AB agreed & very valid point. Why benefit Qatar when they have such anti Pakistan policies. Sri Lanka surely is a better option. Even the government should intervene on this point.
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Aug 02, 2015 08:43pm
@ITOLDYOU
Wrong, Pakistan will play 2 Series in UAE. (Vs England and India)
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Aug 02, 2015 08:47pm
It will be only success if it will be in Pakistan i don't understand why we are organizing this league if we don't have any resources stop try to copy IPL or something there are so many cricketing nation who are not organizing league India can do it because thier population 1.3 billion.
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Aug 02, 2015 08:58pm
Instead of looking for depth in neighboring country, if you had focussed on development you would have been spared with this running around the world because foreign players would have visited pakistan.
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Aug 02, 2015 09:06pm
Its a conspiracy by bcci to stop 100billion$ psl so as not to rival ipl and psl be played in islamabad as we have many talented cricketers in punjab.
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Aug 02, 2015 09:15pm
Good idea, Qatar is the sporting hub of the gulf. I think the series will be quite successful.
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Aug 02, 2015 09:35pm
Have a better idea ,a t20 league with Pakistan ,Sri Lanka , Ireland and Afghanistan playing each other 3 times and players getting a minimum of 100000 dollars later we can add West Indies if they are interested
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Aug 02, 2015 10:30pm
I think PCB should wait for the uae stadiums though if they have to postpone the league.
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Aug 02, 2015 11:31pm
No need. Wait for the right time.
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Aug 02, 2015 11:42pm
Do it in ur own country . Money can buy anything and everything. Pay them more, fool proof security , promotion .. And it will work . 3rd country should be out of question...
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Aug 03, 2015 12:12am
I think SL has five great stadia and BANG has four. That would be the cheapest and best option for PCB.
Although I still believe PCB shouldn't try to ape IPL A rich person or organisation can do anything, take any financial risk. PCB is likely to fall flat on their faces and lose a lot of money.
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Aug 03, 2015 01:53am
@uyaseen You are absolutely right.
How long we are going to depend on
foreign rental grounds.
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Aug 03, 2015 02:01am
@Haider Rehman In Sri Lanka and Bangladesh you loose at least 25%-30%
of the time due to rain.
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Aug 03, 2015 02:37am
It does not make sense to start a local league in a foreign country. Concentrate on bringing the teams to Pakistan rather than creating reasons for other countries to stay away from Pakistan.
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Aug 03, 2015 03:41am
Pakistan super league based in Qatar, now that's the greatest oxymoron.
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Aug 03, 2015 03:49am
Pakistan should change the dates and still try for dubai. That suits us better.
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Aug 03, 2015 05:31am
@NORI
Pakistan wants to launch IPL version but without corruption.
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Aug 03, 2015 05:42am
@Iqbal
Yes,the good players will definetly come to Pakistan,it's only a matter of taking an initiative.
Security will not be a ptoblem.Aceept the challenge and tell the world there is no security concern in Pakistan.People are making it a big issue for nothing, once a tournament is conducted successfully,all fear will be over.But don't be relax ever while arranging any kind of event like this.No carelessness at any level should be done.No loopholes!
Any mishap can happen every where in the world these days.
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Aug 03, 2015 10:40am
LOL! Tell me when you finalise it.
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