PSL to launch in UAE
Pakistan is set to launch its first
franchise-based Twenty20 league in the UAE on Thursday as its
cash-strapped cricket board seeks to boost revenues and reverse the
national team's slide in the game's shortest format.
The long-awaited first edition of the Pakistan Super League follows
two previous attempts that fell through over a lack of sponsorship and
the suspension of international cricket at home in the wake of a
militant attack on the Sri Lankan team almost seven years ago.
With Pakistan's once-dominant Twenty20 side sliding to a lowly seventh place in world rankings following a their recent series loss against New Zealand, organisers are keen for local talent to hone their skills alongside the world's best players including Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen and Shane Watson.
Featuring 69 local and 29 foreign stars, the five-team, 24-match league will be held From February 4 - 23 across two stadiums in Sharjah and Dubai -- Pakistan's "home away from home" since the 2009 terror attack.
With Pakistan's once-dominant Twenty20 side sliding to a lowly seventh place in world rankings following a their recent series loss against New Zealand, organisers are keen for local talent to hone their skills alongside the world's best players including Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen and Shane Watson.
Featuring 69 local and 29 foreign stars, the five-team, 24-match league will be held From February 4 - 23 across two stadiums in Sharjah and Dubai -- Pakistan's "home away from home" since the 2009 terror attack.
