Many people are interested to buy 2 new PSL teams: Najam Sethi

Lahore, The Gulf Observer: Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee, Najam Sethi, revealed that there is a lot of interest from potential buyers to own 2 new teams in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

While speaking to a YouTube channel, Sethi noted that although he had initially thought about the idea, he hadn’t discussed it with anyone before Javed Afridi, owner of Peshawar Zalmi, “fired the first shot” by suggesting that Faisalabad and Sialkot could be the two new teams in the league.

“I first thought and don’t discuss with anyone but I don’t know how it comes in the media… So I think Javed Afridi has fired the first shot that Faisalabad and Sialkot will be the two new teams of PSL. We haven’t had any discussions with the franchises, we didn’t make any decision, but it’s my desire that at least two new teams should be added,” he said.

However, Sethi also recognized the valid concerns of the existing franchises, about potential revenue loss and the impact on the market saturation.

“There are a lot of comprehensions and concerns from the franchises regarding their revenues and how the market can take it or not. And for this, we have to sit and discuss because without them we can’t move forward,” Sethi said.

“They have to be part of the consultation process. But what I will say is this, so many people are interested to buy these two teams, and if the addition of these two teams is coming in the PSL, then there will be a win-win situation for all,” he added.

The 74-year-old also reassured the existing franchises that they would not suffer any loss and instead, make a profit from this decision.

“The revenue will increase and also teams will increase, and my advice to the other six franchises is that you will not suffer any loss, but you will make a profit from this, and if the revenue decreases, then we will help you in this matter,” he said.

Speaking about the possibility of taking the PSL to the United States, Sethi said that many people had approached him with the idea.

“Many people have approached us to take PSL to USA,” he said.

PCB chief also mentioned that the PCB will conduct an internal debate to consider the possibility of switching to an auction system for selecting teams in the PSL. Under an auction model, each team would have a certain amount of money to bid for players, and the highest bidder would acquire the player’s services.“We will do an internal debate on this [introducing auction model in PSL],” he concluded.