By Syed Mahmood Sharazi
Discussions for the inclusion of the English county cricket team MiddleSex in the Pakistan Super League have been revealed. According to english media that talks between the parties have progressed relatively well with further negotiations scheduled to take place shortly.
The PCB are interested in including overseas domestic teams in the PSL and we have held talks with them,” Andrew Cornish, the Middlesex CEO, told English media. Those talks have been very positive and we expect them to continue in the coming weeks.There is no talk of Midlesex taking part in the competition in 2023 but it is possible a squad will be sent for a short pre-season warm-up tour as a sign of commitment. The club do not have plans for any other pre-season tour having prepared in a large marquee at Merchant Taylors’ School in 2022.
The ECB are aware of the negotiations and have no reservations in principle.
The timing of the competition – which this year runs from mid-February to the end of March – works relatively well for English sides, while the fact that Middlsex’s players are salaried should reduce the need for substantial further funding.
It would still be necessary to send a significant number of players and support staff abroad for a period of around six weeks, however, and pay hotel bills. It is understood the trip would also involve playing opportunities for Middlesex’s women’s side, junior sides and disability team.
Other teams have had to pay millions to enter into the PSL but it is understood there is unlikely to be any fee required for Middlesex. Instead, the PSL is understood to value the commercial reach of an established English team. The fact that Middlesex play at Lord’s is relevant, too, with reciprocal opportunities sure to be attractive to other PSL teams.
Pakistan super league season 8 is scheduled to take place from February 13 to March 19 2023 across four venues: Multan, Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore. Multan will host the mega opening event and will play the first match of season eight on its soil against defending champions Lahore Qalandars.
