Under-19 PSL franchise for Rs 14 crore

 The success of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has inspired Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ramiz Raja. The PSL has also announced to organize professional cricket for the young cricketers of the country at the age-based level. It has been decided that the tournament will be held next October. However, some details were not finalized.

It was said at the outset that this would be an under-19 tournament. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has backtracked on its earlier decision to increase the age limit to U-23. The Pakistan Junior League (PJL) also has five franchises like the main tournament. The board is setting the base price of the franchises at 14 crore Pakistani rupees (about 8 crore rupees).

Some franchises of the original PSL wanted to take advantage of the team without a fee. In that case more money can be spent on the players and the training facilities for them. Other franchisees did not want to get it for free, but were asked to reduce the base price. But the PCB did not agree to any proposal. PCB Media and Communication Director Sami Ul Hasan said that the tournament will be played by under-19s and not under-23s.

The PJL is part of the PCB's newly launched Pathway Cricket Project. Earlier, the best 100 teenagers have been brought under the scholarship under this project. They are being given 30 thousand rupees per month.

Last April, Ramiz Raja announced the organization of PJL to promote youth cricket. Ramiz said there would be a legendary cricketer as a mentor in each team to prepare the youth for international cricket. We will have a draft system so that young cricketers can earn more. Each team will have a mentor like Viv Richards.