In exclusive remarks to PakPassion.net, Ehsan Mani expressed his views regarding the necessity of the Pakistani T20 League particularly for the progress of Pakistani cricket and it's possible help with the resumption of international cricket in the country.

By Amir Husain (29th November 2012)

After a number of false starts, it would appear that the dream of holding a high profile T20 tournament on Pakistani soil is close to fruition. Based on numerous public declarations to that effect by Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Zaka Ashraf, it would appear that Pakistan’s answer to the popular and financially lucrative Indian Premier league (IPL) is set to take off in March of 2013.

The prospect of a world class event in front of home audiences is a mouthwatering one but as most experts on this matter will agree, requires careful planning and execution for it to be a complete success. The PCB to its credit has made every effort to ensure that a good amount of planning is put in and proper advice taken before embarking on this venture – the visit of Haroon Lorgat is just an example of this effort but it remains to be seen whether they can carry on with this effort to a successful conclusion. 

Ehsan Mani, is the former President of the ICC who has also represented the PCB on various advisory committees at the ICC. He is also well known for his frank and critical analysis of the game and its administration around the world. In exclusive remarks to PakPassion.net, Mani expressed his views regarding the necessity of the Pakistani T20 League particularly for the progress of Pakistani cricket and it's possible help with the resumption of international cricket in the country.

The concept of an IPL style tournament promises to be a win-win situation for all concerned. For the audiences, it would provide entertainment of a high quality whereas for the organizers and players, it represents access to financial rewards that wouldn’t necessarily be available to them in domestic cricket. The marketing of such a tournament is of paramount importance and that is an idea which Ehsan Mani appreciates and he would like the PCB to pay close attention to, as they go about their preparations for the inaugural edition of the Pakistani T20 League. 

“I think it's right that Pakistan should have it's version of a T20 Premier League. There will be challenges about holding the tournament in Pakistan but it's the right thing to do even if it means that to begin with there are mainly Pakistani players taking part and only a few international players in the inaugural edition of the tournament. In terms of the commercial aspect, I'm sure the PPL will not be short of interested parties wanting to invest in the tournament although Television revenue will be the main source of income and If a broadcaster does take a long term view and lines up a long deal with the PCB then I think in 2 or 3 years’ time they will realise they are onto something very good.” 

With the country’s reputation as an international destination for cricket taking a virtual nosedive due to the unfortunate events which occurred during the Sri Lanka tour of 2009, the issue of security has been foremost in the minds of many people whenever the topic of a tournament of a high profile nature is discussed within the Pakistani context. Dispelling the notion of Pakistan as an unsafe place for international cricketers is a challenge that PCB must also address as part of the Pakistani T20 League project. In Ehsan Mani’s views, the concept of this tournament, if executed correctly will form the back bone of the push to bring international cricket back to Pakistani shores.

“Pakistan cricket needs to move on, it cannot remain stagnant where people are reluctant to play in Pakistan. Tournaments such as a Pakistani T20 league take time to put into place, they don't just happen overnight. I believe the PCB is doing the right thing by looking to host such a tournament but the biggest challenge for the Board is to win over the confidence of the overseas players that they want to attract. The security and safety of the cricketers has to be first and foremost in the minds of the organisers. Every player will want to be satisfied with the security arrangements. I don't expect to see a huge number of foreign players taking part in the first tournament but hosting the tournament is a step in the right direction to get cricket back in Pakistan. The perception of Pakistan is beginning to change and recently we've had the British Army team play cricket in Pakistan and that is a good way of building confidence. The image of Pakistan will undoubtedly be boosted as players go back to their respective countries and talk to other players about their experience.”

Regardless of the level of international participation in the Pakistani T20 league, the tournament remains the main focus of the PCB in the short term and promises to bring a new level of enjoyment for the Pakistani cricket fan. The PCB, as suggested by Mani, will do well to pay strict attention to the security and marketing arrangements of this competition. With the right arrangements in place, Ehsan Mani sees no hurdles in the way to the Pakistani T20 League establishing itself as a worthy contender to similar tournaments round the world stating that “Pakistan has a lot of exciting cricketers and add to the mix some of the exceptional international talent and the Pakistani T20 tournament could be a very exciting one.”

The Pakistani T20 League, according to sources close to the working committee, is expected to commence on the 25th of March 2013 with the final scheduled for April 10.

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