LAHORE: The third edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL), set to commence from Feb 22 in the UAE, now appears to be a definite possibility after the defaulting franchises have assured the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of clearing all their dues as soon as possible.

However, they have asked for a proper joint forum to be held which can provide both PCB and the franchises to listen to each other’s reservations in order to avoid such misunderstandings in the future.

“Yes, all the franchises have assured their full cooperation to the PCB and hopefully they will clear their dues very soon,” a PCB official told Dawn.

It may be mentioned that as many as five out of the six PSL franchises have either fully or partially defaulted with the PCB, having failed in clearing their dues despite the passage of the November 15 deadline. The PCB had decided to take stern action against the defaulters but after the assurance from the franchises, the crisis seems to be over.

Meanwhile, talking to Dawn, one of the franchise owner while speaking on condition of anonymity, said the franchises indeed have some reservations which created this situation.

“Had there been a forum where the PCB and the franchises could sit down to listen to each other’s problems, this current situation would never have occurred,” said the franchise owner.

He further disclosed that the franchises were not happy over the PCB’s decision to allow the organizers of the T10 league, held in the UAE last month, to take away the Pakistan players on their terms.

“But the PCB just did not listen to the point of view of the franchises,” he lamented.

He complained that despite an investment of millions of rupees by the franchises in the PSL, they were not allowed to use the stadiums which were under the control of the PCB. “As the PSL has become a successful brand of the country, which is a huge thing, it is now the duty of all of the stakeholders including the PCB to safeguard it from any needless controversies or negative factors.

“And it is only possible when constant contact exists between the franchises and the PCB,” he added.

In the final analysis, the PCB also erred by completing the players’ selection draft process some two months back without receiving all the dues from the franchises. Had the PCB started the process of players’ draft after receiving all the dues and after addressing the reservations of the franchises, it would have been smooth sailing for the third PSL edition.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2018