LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to take “complete ownership” of the inaugural edition of the Pakistan Junior League, it announced Tuesday.

The PCB had initially planned to sell six PJL teams as franchises to interested takers but the latest decision comes as a surprise with just a week to go until the tournament’s player’s draft, which is slated for Sept. 6.

““Instead of selling team rights, the PCB has made a strategic decision to take complete ownership of the inaugural edition,” PCB chief executive officer Faisal Hasnain said in a news release.

“This gives us the chance to present to the world and to all our valued commercial partners that this is an event that has high value, context and is here to stay.”

Faisal said the PCB still awaited the “sale of other commercial inventory” of the U-19 T20 tournament, which is scheduled to be held here in October.

“While the process for the sale of other commercial inventory is ongoing and we remain confident of attracting high-quality sponsors,” he was quoted as saying.

“I want to thank all the investors who expressed their interest in procuring team naming rights.

“We will continue the discussions with them after the completion of the tournament, with a future aim of building a long-term relationship.”

Meanwhile, the PCB also revealed the names of the six outfits; Bahawalpur, Gujranwala, Gwadar, Hyderabad, Mardan and Rawalpindi — and their “mentors”, the names of whom have been announced earlier.

Ex South Africa leg-spinner Imran Tahir will mentor Bahawalpur while former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik will join the Gujranwala outfit. Gwadar will be mentored by West Indies legend Sir Vivian Richards and his compatriot Darren Sammy will assist the Hyderabad side.

Another former national skipper Shahid Afridi has been given the Mardan assignment while New Zealander Colin Munro will help the Rawalpindi players.

Pakistan’s legendary batsman Javed Miandad will be the “roving umbrella mentor, helping and assisting all the sides,” said the PCB statement.

As many as 140 foreign players have registered for the PJL draft.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2022