The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Thursday, unveiled its plan for hosting a glamorous Twenty20 cricket league, which it hoped would lure international stars and herald the revival of international cricket in the country.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) was launched in Lahore in a glitzy ceremony attended by members of Pakistan’s men’s and women’s cricket captains, board officials and cricket greats.

According to the PCB, the league will be launched this March, with an opening ceremony on March 23 and matches will ensue from the following day.

Five teams will be part of the league in its first three editions and each team will comprise five local players and six international players.

PSL will be played on a league format with all teams playing each other twice on pattern of the popular football leagues and the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Ashraf said the league would go a long way in helping local cricketers as they will get a chance to play with the big names of the game and herald a new era for Pakistan’s domestic cricket.

Former chief of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Haroon Lorgat has been appointed as an advisor of the league, PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf announced during the ceremony.

“Today is a very important day for Pakistan cricket,” Lorgat, who was present at the ceremony, said.

Lorgat had previously met with PCB officials as they sought to bring international cricket teams back to Pakistan.

“PSL will help revive international cricket in Pakistan,” Lorgat said.

No international cricket team has played in Pakistan following the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in March 2009, which injured several Sri Lankan cricketers and ICC umpires.

While Bangladesh Cricket Board had shown willingness to send its team to Pakistan on two occasions last year, it backed out later citing reservations on the security situation.