LAHORE: Rawalpindi captain Mohammad Rizwan on Wednesday lauded the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its former chairman Najam Sethi for the remarkable development of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which is set to usher in a new era with the addition of two new teams from the 11th edition starting on March 26.
Launched by Sethi-led PCB in 2015, the marquee league was launched the following year with five franchises – Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, Islamabad United, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators – and received huge acclaim from cricket enthusiasts and investors.
The PSL expanded to six teams in 2018 with the addition of Multan Sultans, and the number of franchises remained the same until the landmark 10th edition.
The league is undergoing further expansion as two new franchises have been bought for a combined sum of Rs3.6 billion.
Reflecting on the league’s journey, Rizwan credited former PCB chairman Sethi’s initiative, while citing the amount of franchise rights fetched by the new owners and praising the current management’s efforts to take the PSL to new heights.
“Obviously, PCB’s effort is at the stage where he started. I think the credit definitely goes to Najam Sethi. The way he took this step and the way he brought people in. He should be remembered,” Rizwan said at the PSL 11 captain’s conference.
“And the way the (current) management has taken the league forward, even our franchise (sold for Rs245 million), I think it’s a big achievement,” he added.
Wicketkeeper Pater, however, insisted the nation was disappointed by the Pakistan side’s recent struggles in the international circuit, but expressed his hope for a turnaround, citing the emergence of talent through the PSL.
“But from a cricketing point of view, maybe the nation is disappointed this time, but as mentioned, new players are coming,” Rizwan said.
“The issue may not be resolved properly. Once it is resolved, Pakistan will return to a state where the nation and the fans are satisfied.”