ISLAMABAD, May 13: Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday hinted the board would be starting a Pakistan Premier League on the pattern of the IPL in order to boost domestic cricket in the country while grabbing the opportunity of generating revenue from the tournament.

“We will be waiting for a suitable time to start the tournament as many corporate institutions here have also shown their willingness to sponsor the event,” said Dr Nasim at a news conference after PCB’s board of governors’ meeting.

Due to the ICC-Future Tours Programme (FTP), there was presently no gap available for organising such an event and the PCB would be working on the details, said the PCB chief.

While briefing the press on the meeting, Dr Nasim added that the board, after reviewing PCB’s financial condition, found it to be rather satisfactory despite the Rs750 million loss incurred due to Australia’s refusal to visit Pakistan earlier this year.

Dr Nasim also revealed that Australian authorities would send a recce team for their team’s tour of Pakistan for five One-day Internationals in April-May next year with the first match to be played tentatively on April 23.

“Otherwise, the Australian tour is confirmed,” he said.

About the proposed Pakistan Premier League, it was said the PCB had already earned $40 million from the sale of five-year media rights (2008-2013) for which a committee had also been formed.

The committee, to be headed by Ahsan Mani, will also include an independent forensic firm to monitor the whole media rights bid process.

It has also been decided that all the 13 regions of the PCB would be allowed to hire the services of two foreign players but priority would be given to the local players.

About the Pakistan team’s home and away assignments including Test and ODI commitments, the chairman PCB said from June 8 Pakistan will be participating in a tri-nation series involving India and Bangladesh in Dhaka. There will also be the Asia Cup (June 24 to July 6) and a Twenty20 tournament in Canada in which Pakistan will play against the West Indies.

About New Zealand team’s tour, he said Pakistan will play three ODIs at home against the Kiwis in August.

About the Champions Trophy, Dr Nasim said an ICC security delegation will be visiting Pakistan on May 18 and the PCB will give a comprehensive security briefing to the officials also involving the relevant departments.

Also as per earlier commitment, Pakistan will also play ODIs against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi in November.

About the Indian team’s visit to Pakistan, Dr Nasim said the boards of India and Pakistan have committed their teams to play against each other every year.

On Sri Lanka’s visit to Pakistan, he said the Lankans were due to arrive in April next year.

Pakistan will also be participating in the Twenty20 World Cup in England while the Women’s team will be visiting England in 2009 for the Women’s World Cup, Dr Nasim informed.

About the other decisions taken by the board of governors, he said the PCB management has been advised by the board to work out a plan for acquiring independent energy sources after experiencing the power failure at the Gaddafi Stadium during the recent ODI series against Bangladesh.

Regarding work at the Rawalpindi stadium, he said the board will be working towards meeting the deadline for which it has also warned the contractor of the project.

Five matches of the ICC Champions Trophy are scheduled to be staged in Rawalpindi.

While commenting on women’s cricket affairs, Dr Nasim said the board has approved a new structure of forming an executive committee of women that will also be headed by a woman and the PCB will operationally work with this women’s executive committee.

Regarding domestic cricket, Dr Nasim said the board has issued a central contract to 260 players, however, this year the board has decided to increase the stipend of the players to be implemented in the next budget.

He said that every region will also get a coach, physio, fielding coach and an assistant coach who will be on PCB’s payroll.

The PCB has also hired the services of an ICC curator who, at present, is training some 35 curators in Lahore, for making better and bouncy pitches.

Besides this Dr Nasim also said that the legendary paceman Wasim Akram has also offered to train Pakistan fast bowlers.