Butt has refused to name any of the international players until they submit all the necessary documents
Pakistan Super League (PSL) managing director Salman Sarwar Butt has announced that over 50 international players have already signed up to play in the 10-day tournament.
Butt noted that he expects more overseas signings in the near future and added that this was a clear indication that international players are interested in playing cricket in Pakistan once again.
“This clearly is an indication that the PSL is attractive both in terms of cricket and financial gains for the cricketing talent, no matter where in the world it is located,” he said.
Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa recently announced that they will not be sending any of the their players to participate in the PSL and Butt admitted that it would be nearly impossible to change their minds.
“The PSL shall continue with its efforts to put together a spectacle that would endeavor to dispel such perceptions once it starts unfolding on the ground,” he said.
Pakistan have not hosted any international matches since the Sri Lankan national team were ambushed by armed militants in March 2009, which left eight locals dead and six of their players injured.
Since that fateful day, Pakistan have had to play all of their ‘home’ series in the United Arab Emirates or in other neutral venues.
In an effort to boost the number of international players taking part in the tournament, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have hired former International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat as the tournament’s adviser.
The PCB have also offered a $2 million (£1.25m) life insurance policy, along with 24-hour personal security for the duration of the tournament. There were several different types of life insurance offered to the foreign players in the process.
However, it is still unclear how many of the foreign players have been able to secure No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from their respective cricket boards, and the PCB stated that they will not reveal the names or nationalities of any of the international players until they get all the required documents needed to play in the tournament.
“The PCB is in contact with the various boards and will be soliciting NOCs for signed-up players,” Butt said. “Once these players get the required NOCs, only then we can reveal their nationalities before going into the auction.”
The PSL is set to comprise of five franchises and the PCB have announced that the tournament is likely to be held in either Lahore or Karachi.
The PCB also hopes to add at least 30 more overseas players through the auction process.