All players welcome and tax free: UAE-based PSL aims to be second biggest event in cricket

Najam Sethi, head of Pakistan Cricket Board’s executive committee, spoke to Paul Radley about the Pakistan Super League and his hopes for the UAE-based Twenty20 tournament.

Definitely in the UAE

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) used its sway to encourage the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to accommodate its new Twenty20 league on its chosen dates in February. That meant shifting the dates of an independent tournament called the Masters Cricket League — which is set to involve former players such as Brian Lara and Adam Gilchrist — which had booked the venues in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

Renewed ties

Sethi, chairman of the PSL governing body, said the PCB had been “disappointed and hurt” that the ECB had appeared to favour the veterans league over its concept. South Africa, Qatar and Sri Lanka were considered as potential hosts for the competition before a rapprochement was made. Now Sharjah and Dubai are booked for the PSL.

Pakistan’s response to IPL

Sethi says the PSL can become the second-biggest event in cricket — after the Indian Premier League — but acknowledges it may be a loss-leader for the franchise owners until it becomes fully established. “I don’t think even PCB will make much money in the first year,” he said. “But as the central pool of revenue goes up, and the value of the assets goes up, and we add another team in the second or third year, at the end of it, everybody makes a lot of money.”

Tax-free for foreigners

Sethi said he met with Pakistan’s finance minister before his current trip to the UAE, and it has been agreed overseas players signing up with the event will get tax-free pay deals. The fees to the foreign players will range from US$100,000 to $200,000 (Dh367,000 to Dh734,000) for the 21-day tournament. The Pakistani players could earn between $25,000 and $150,000.

Who will play?

The five teams will have a split of 12 Pakistani players and four foreigners. As many as many as 150 overseas players are said to have signalled their interest to be involved. These include the usual suspects from Twenty20 leagues around the world, such as Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen and Sunil Narine.