Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is contemplating the idea to replace the PSL draft system to recruit players for the franchises with the auction model that has been employed by IPL since its inaugural edition.
According to PCB chairman Ramiz Raja, such a switch will help their T20 tournament build enough financial muscle that it will be put into the same bracket as the Indian Premier League.
“We need to create new properties to be financially independent," Ramiz was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. “We have nothing for now but the PSL and ICC funds. There’s an argument over the model from next year; I want to switch it to an auction model from next year. The market forces are conducive, but we’ll sit down with the franchise owners to discuss it."
Ramiz further said that the alteration to the auction system will lift the standards of Pakistan Super League and make it as lucrative as the IPL.
“This is a game of money. When the cricket economy grows in Pakistan, our respect will rise. The main driver of that financial economy is the PSL. If we take the PSL to auction model, increase the purse, then I’ll put it in the IPL bracket. And then we’ll see who goes to play the IPL over the PSL," he remarked.
However, the bold comments of Ramiz Raja didn’t go down well with the Indian fans, who roasted the PCB chief on Twitter and told him to stay away from comparisons.
Here are the reactions: