PCB invites bids for a sixth PSL team in next season

KARACHI: Seeking induction of sixth team for third edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2018, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has invited interested parties to bid for the sixth-team franchise.

In a statement PCB said, “Pakistan Cricket Board invites bids from interested parties who wish to acquire Team Franchise Rights for a sixth team to be introduced to the HBL PSL from the year 2018 onwards.”

The statement shared the terms and conditions for making proposals. Bid documents with all relevant information could be obtained before 15 May 2017 against a non-refundable and non-adjustable fee of US$ 1,000 while the last date of bid papers’ submission has been May 30, 2017.

Laying emphasis on submission procedure, the statement added that only ‘technically qualified applicants’ would be able to participate in the further process.

“The financial bids of technically qualified bidders will be opened on 31 May, 2017 at National Cricket Academy, Lahore”, it said.

Earlier this month, chairman PSL Najam Sethi has announced to try and hold eight matches in Pakistan in the next edition by also increasing the number of teams from five to six.

Next year: six teams, 34 matches, will try for up to 8 matches in Pak! Inshallah! https://t.co/FaL81RiNKD

— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) April 7, 2017

“Next year: six teams, 34 matches, Will try for up to 8 matches in Pak with six teams,” he tweeted on April 7

PSL Chairman Najam Sethi reportedly tried to add the sixth team during the second season of PSL 2017, but dropped the idea as franchise owners were concerned about their share of profit.

It is worth mentioning here that PSL had previously struck a deal with franchise owners that its first two editions would only feature five teams.

It should also be recalled here that PCB wants to host more games of the star-studded league in the country to bring back international cricket in Pakistan.

There were also speculations that PCB was contemplating different names for the sixth team either Azad Kashmir or Gilgit-Baltistan.

However, a final name for the team will be decided after suggestions from all the stakeholders including potential owners of the sixth franchise who would have the advantage to choose a region of their choice. The other possible names for the sixth franchises could be Azad Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Sialkot, Multan or Faisalabad.