HBL PSL franchises seeks reduction in players salary cap

The Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises want to lower player’s salary cap for the tournament, currently set at US $ 1.4 million.

According to sources, during the meeting between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani and HBL PSL franchises on Monday, franchises demanded a review of players’ remuneration.  Franchise owners are concerned that the salaries they offer in HBL PSL is more than what players earn in other leagues.

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The possibility of holding a draft without categorizing the players in any set category was also discussed in the meeting. According to franchises, this would allow them to select players according to what they are willing to spend.

Few foreign cricketers are reluctant to play the entire HBL PSL season in Pakistan. Hence, the PCB and HBL PSL franchises also contemplated hiring former England Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Giles Clarke, former Cricket South Africa (CSA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Haroon Lorgat and West Indies all-rounder Daren Sammy as ambassadors, to convince foreign players to travel to Pakistan.

Mani, on the instructions of PCB Patron-in-Chief Imran Khan, has already announced that the entire season of next year’s HBL PSL will take place in Pakistan. Board officials have already started preparations and have prepared a list of venues, where the matches would be held.