Ashraf is hoping the tournament convinces international teams to tour Pakistan once again
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have announced that they will be offering a $2 million insurance policy for any player participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Pakistan have not hosted any international matches on home soil since March 2009, when the Sri Lankan national team were ambushed by armed militants, leaving eight locals dead and six players injured.
Since that fateful day, Pakistan have had to play all their ‘home’ matches in the United Arab Emirates or another neutral venue.
However, the PCB are hoping that the PSL convinces international teams that Pakistan is no longer a dangerous place.
But, the PSL may have received a detrimental blow even before it has started since the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) has announced that players should not travel to the war-torn country since the security situation there is still too volatile.
While PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf understands FICA’s concerns, he stated that the PSL must go on since it presented an opportunity for Pakistan to start hosting international matches once again.
“We understand their concerns and we can’t blame them,” Ashraf told ESPNcricinfo. “It’s the negative perception about Pakistan that has to be changed and people should understand that things are not so bad.
“But for their sense of security we are offering an optional insurance policy worth $2 million for the satisfaction of their families. They will be our special guests and we are ensuring every possible step to give them security at a higher level and if they think this isn’t enough they can take the insurance option as well.”
The PCB are also offering local and international players a tax-free income if they play in the PSL.
Apart from “emerging” players, everyone stands to earn anywhere between $25,000 and $100,000 for taking part in the 10-day tournament.
The base price for top players will start at $100,000, which means that they stand the chance of making even more than that.
“[The] Government is ready to grant us the exemption on income of the PSL and it’s an added advantage of our product for the players to earn tax free income,” Ashraf said. “We are offering the most money compared to the other leagues in the world. In ten days you can get the most out of it before going to the IPL starting in April.”