Contract breaches and salary barriers add to PSL problems

Despite having signed contracts, a number of foreign players have withdrawn to play in the more lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL), making the PCB`s hosting of the expanded Pakistan Super League a logistical and contractual nightmare.

A source claims that, in addition to individuals breaking their contracts, the PCB is also dealing with last-minute requests from some players to increase their fees because of the ongoing turmoil in West Asia.

“The PCB is right now totally focused on hosting the PSL on schedule and has not decided on any course of action against overseas players who have pulled out for so-called personal reasons or have openly breached their PSL contracts to go to the IPL,” the source said.

There have been internal talks of banning players who have withdrawn from PSL for two to four years, but there are still worries that such harsh penalties would discourage elite foreign talent from joining PSL teams in the future.

The source admitted that there is still a significant financial gap between PSL and IPL. PSL teams are finding it difficult to match the much larger contracts offered by the IPL, which is dealing with an injury crisis of its own.

The PCB had taken legal action last year against South Africa`s Corbin Bosch for a contract breach, handing him a one-year ban.

Several International players withdrew from the PSL 

Gudakesh Motie and Johnson Charles of the West Indians, Dasun Shanaka of Sri Lanka, Blessing Muzarabani of Zimbabwe, Spencer Johnson and Jake Fraser-McGurk of Australia, Ottneil Baartman of South Africa, Rahmanullah Gurbaz of Afghanistan, and Tymal Mills of England are among the foreign players who have withdrawn from this year`s PSL after signing contracts.

A number of foreign players have arrived in Lahore for the PSL, including South African Tabraiz Shamshi, New Zealand`s Mark Chapman and Devon Convoy, and former Australians Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.

The PCB declared on Sunday that the PSL matches would be played without spectators due to the turmoil in the area and the government`s promised austerity and revenue-saving measures.

The board also cancelled the opening ceremony and restricted the event to just two venues, Lahore and Karachi.

(With PTI Input)