PSL: Cricket Australia & Cricket South Africa Deny Support

Pakistan Super League (PSL) suffered a major blow as Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa denied support for the upcoming Twenty20 competition. Pakistan Cricket Board's effort to bring international players for PSL suffered a setback on Wednesday, 30 January 2013. Pakistan will start Pakistan Super League in March 2013, which will be a 5-team T20 tournament. Cricket Australia made it clear that they would not support any contracted players participating in PSL.

A spokesman of Cricket Australia said: "Due to the ongoing security concerns in Pakistan, Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association would not be supportive of any international or state contracted player participating in the Pakistan Super League".

Cricket South Africa has also refused to issue NOCs to its players for Pakistan Super League, given the security situation in the country. South Africans were not satisfied with the idea of sending players to Pakistan after reviewing security situation in Pakistan.

PCB had offered $2 million life insurance & tax-free income for foreign players participating in Pakistan Super League. But the International union of Cricketers, FICA was not impressed by this offer. Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA), along with England's players' representative, Professional Cricketers Association (PCA) had advised international cricketers to stay away from the League.

Source:
Geo News - http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=85957
The News - http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-86006-PSL:-South-Africa-denies-NOC-to-players

PSL: Foreign Players offered $2 million Life Insurance & Tax-free Income

Pakistan have offered a handsome insurance policy of $2 million worth and tax-free income for foreign cricketers who will participate in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Cricket operations in Pakistan aren't tax exempted. But the PCB is offering residential and non-residential players tax-free income from the PSL. Apart from the "emerging" players, they stand to earn between $25,000 and $100,000 for taking part in a 10-day tournament. The base price for the top category diamond players starts at $100,000.

Pakistan have not hosted international cricket since terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009. Since then they have had to play their "home" matches at offshore venues such as England and the UAE. The idea of having a PSL in the country is a strategic move by the PCB to win back the confidence of cricketing nations. Pakistan supplied 5,000 police and para-military personnel to provide security, when a World XI played two Twenty20 exhibitions in October 2012. Pakistan will host Pakistan Super League in March 2013, a 5-team T20 tournament.

But the world professional cricketers' union, Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) has raised its concerns over the security situation in Pakistan and warned players against taking part in the PSL, citing it an unmanageable risk. Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA), England's players representative, had also advised international cricketers to stay away from the Pakistan Super League.

PCB chairman, Zaka Ashraf told ESPNcricinfo: "We understand their concerns and we can't blame them". "It's the negative perception about Pakistan that has to be changed and people should understand that things are not so bad. "But for their sense of security we are offering an optional insurance policy worth $2 million for the satisfaction of their families. They will be our special guests and we are ensuring every possible step to give them security at a higher level and if they think this isn't enough they can take the insurance option as well."

"Government is ready to grant us the exemption on income of the PSL and it's an added advantage of our product for the players to earn tax free income," Zaka Ashraf said. "We are offering the most money compared to the other leagues in the world. In ten days you can get the most out of it before going to the IPL starting in April."

Source(s):
Cricinfo - http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/601992.html
Telegraph - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/9825231/Foreign-players-offered-2million-life-insurance-to-play-in-Pakistan-T20.html
Dawn - http://dawn.com/2013/01/23/pcb-to-offer-insurance-worth-2-million-to-visiting-players/
Express Tribune - http://tribune.com.pk/story/498495/pakistan-super-league-pcb-offers-2m-insurance-to-foreign-cricketers/

Pakistan Super League: PCB Launched Twenty20 League

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Thursday, 10 January 2013, that it would host Pakistan Super League (PSL) in March 2013 in hopes the Twenty20 competition can revive international cricket in Pakistan. PCB aims to host a multinational Twenty20 League on the lines of the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL), which has featured more than 100 foreign players since its inception in 2008.

Pakistan is suffering with no top-class international cricket since militants attacked the Sri Lankan Cricket team in March 2009. The tragic incidence killed eight Pakistanis and injured seven visiting players. Foreign teams have kept away from the troubled country over security fears, leaving Pakistan to play its home series in England and the United Arab Emirates.

The logo of the Pakistan Super League was unveiled at a colourful ceremony in Lahore,Pakistan. PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf, former International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat and Pakistan captains Mohammad Hafeez and Misbah-ul Haq were present on the occasion of new T20 event launch.

Haroon Lorgat, who is acting as adviser to the new league, said he hoped the participation of foreign players would help Pakistan in a big way. "With the rising popularity of Twenty20 cricket, every ICC member country has the right to host its own league. Pakistan has done hard work and I hope with foreign players' participation, perceptions about the country will change", Lorgat echoed.

Source(s):
PCB - http://www.pcb.com.pk/photos-detail/-100/chairman-pcb-ch-zaka-ashraf-unveiled-the-logo-of-pakistan-super-league-4501.html
Cricinfo - http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/600429.html
Geo News - http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=83244
Dawn - http://dawn.com/2013/01/10/plans-for-pakistan-super-league-unveiled-as-pcb-lures-international-stars/