ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will stage a roadshow at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London to present the Pakistan Super League (PSL) vision and commercial model to global investors as it prepares to add two new teams to Twenty-20 league, the board said on Tuesday.
The PSL is Pakistan’s premier T20 cricket tournament, featuring city-based franchises and attracting top international players since its launch in 2016.
Commercial partners and fans are expected to attend the Lord’s event as preparations to sell two new PSL teams have “accelerated,” with British investors showing “strong interest,” according to the PCB.
“Holding the roadshow at Lord’s is proof of Pakistan cricket’s global recognition,” PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said in a statement. “The London roadshow will further enhance HBL PSL’s international appeal.”
Thirty PSL “super fans” will also be invited to the event, according to the PCB. Details on ticket sales will be announced soon.
PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer said the league enjoys a global following and strong commercial value, adding that the addition of two new teams “will create major opportunities for investors.”
The next PSL season is scheduled to begin in April, featuring two new franchises that will be selected from Hyderabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gilgit, Muzaffarabad and Sialkot. The auction for the new teams will take place on Jan. 6.
The PSL comprising Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators grew to six teams in 2018 after Multan Sultans joined the league.
Last month, the PCB also announced new awards for PSL teams. The champions will receive $500,000, runners-up $300,000 and the franchise making the greatest contribution to cricket development will be awarded $200,000.
