Scheduling Conflict With South Africa Puts Pakistan's Plans For A Domestic League On Hold

Pakistan’s plans for a domestic Twenty20 competition along the lines of the Indian Premier League “hit a snag Tuesday as South Africa refused to reschedule” its series to accommodate the tournament, according to the AFP. After “the huge success of the IPL and similar leagues around the world,” the Pakistan Cricket Board is planning to launch its own version “partly as an effort to lure overseas cricketers back to the troubled country.” The PCB wanted to stage the Pakistan Premier League in March, “but the plan was set back after South Africa refused to rearrange the Pakistan national team’s tour” (AFP, 10/23). The AP noted PCB spokesperson Nadeem Sarwar said that the board had asked Cricket South Africa to shift earlier the tour of South Africa, scheduled Jan. 25- March 24. However, Sarwar said the CSA told the PCB: “It is not possible now since the tickets of the series are sold out” (AP, 10/23).