LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to appoint former Test players Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja as the ambassadors of the first Pakistan Super League (PSL) scheduled to be held in Doha, Qatar, from Feb 4 to 24 next year.

The decision is likely to boost the PCB efforts to launch the inaugural edition of the event with a bang next year as both Wasim and Ramiz are involved with the international cricket community as expert commentators and could play a major role in convincing the top players around the world to sign up for PSL.

It has also been learned that the PCB is planning to hold a PSL logo unveiling ceremony by Sept 20.

There are reports that the PCB has sent contracts to 90 foreign players and is rapidly getting responses from them.

However, the cricket board is still waiting to receive a positive reply from some top names of T20 cricket in world circuit. But the appointment of Wasim and Ramiz is most likely to earn the PCB some good deals in the next few days.

AFP adds: Legendary Pakistan paceman Wasim Akram said on Friday that he was excited that Pakistan would host a Twenty20 league that will give the country’s players much-needed international experience.

The league was proposed to give Pakistan players an opportunity to compete with and against top foreign players, which they have not been able to do since international cricket was suspended in the country in 2009.

Wasim said he was very keen to support the event. “I have been offered to be the ambassador of the league and I am excited about the league as it will help our players game-wise as well as financially,” Wasim said.

“Pakistan needed such a league so we all have to support the league and some good work is done for hosting this in the Gulf state and I am sure it will help lift Pakistan cricket,” he added.

Not only Lankan stars, PSL has allured T20 specialists from West Indies. According to reports made public by the PCB, it is negotaitating with the leading T20 sensation from Windies Chris Gaylewhile the Caribbean quartet of Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Sunil Narine and Samuel Badree are also among the most sought-after T20 players who have feature in the various leagues around the world.

Captain Angelo Mathews is one of the three Sri Lankan players who have so far showed their interest in playing for the first edition of Pakistan Super League in 2016, claim local media reports.

The 28-year old right all-rounder is the third Sri Lankan player to agree for PSL appearance, as before him, Tillakaratne Dilshan and left-arm slogger Thisara Parera have also shown interest in playing the league.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2015

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