Several star cricketers who couldn’t secure teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have signed up for the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
To reduce the financial burden on franchises and encourage the inclusion of high-profile players, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is stepping in to provide financial assistance. News agency IANS and cricket-focused website Cricket Pakistan have confirmed this.
Reports state that the PCB will pay six foreign players participating in PSL’s 10th edition $100,000 (around 1.21 crore PKR) each. These payments will be made from a special PCB fund containing $1 million (around 12.16 crore PKR).
The PCB’s initiative aims not only to support the franchises financially but also to serve as an incentive for players to participate. The board plans to continue this support in the future.
The player draft for PSL’s 10th season took place on January 13 at Lahore’s historic Hazuri Bagh. Before the draft, PCB announced that franchises wouldn’t have to bear the full cost of signing elite players. Instead, the board committed to covering part of the payment—a promise it is now keeping.
For example, David Warner, the most expensive player in this year’s PSL, was signed by Karachi Kings for $300,000 (around 3.64 crore PKR) in the Platinum category. However, Karachi Kings will pay $200,000 (around 2.43 crore PKR), while the PCB will contribute the remaining $100,000 (around 1.21 crore PKR). Similarly, PCB will support five other foreign players.
The six foreign players receiving PCB’s financial support are:
- David Warner (Australia) – Karachi Kings
- Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – Karachi Kings
- Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand) – Lahore Qalandars
- Finn Allen (New Zealand) – Quetta Gladiators
- Matthew Short (Australia) – Islamabad United
- Sean Abbott (Australia) – Quetta Gladiators
A PSL official commented, “For example, out of Warner’s $300,000 payment, $100,000 will be covered by the PCB’s special fund. The fund will be utilized to assist with payments to elite players signed during the draft.”
The PSL usually takes place in February-March, while IPL runs from late March to the end of May. However, due to the Champions Trophy in February-March this year, PSL’s 10th edition will be held from April 10 to May 25, overlapping with IPL’s 18th season.
