Pakistan Super League (PSL) Managing Director Salman Sarwar Butt on Wednesday announced five categories of players for the tournament.
During a news conference held at the Gaddafi Stadium, Salman said players would be paid up to $100,000 according to the category they would be chosen in.

Consultant of the league Haroon Lorgat and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmed were also present on the occasion. Salman said players in the diamond category would be paid $100,000, players in the platinum category $75,000, gold category $50,000, silver category $25,000 while emerging players would be paid $5,000 to $10,000.

“These are the base slabs of each category and we will determine the value and placing of players in respective slabs based on their standing and ranking in the game,” he added. He said broadcasting companies were showing overwhelming response to buy the televising rights of the mega event which would go in action from March 26. He dispelled the propaganda that the league would not be organised at its given timeframe in the back drop of a negative campaign by the Federation of International Cricket (FICA), a players association which has expressed security concerns over the participation of foreign players in PSL.

“We disagree with their statement whatsoever it is as we know we are up to a big task and definitely we are going to achieve it with sheer hard work and commitment,” he said.Terming the FICA’s statement a negative campaign, he said: “The FICA’s statement is a negative campaign which will serve no purpose and carries no weight as players are independent to take the decision of their participation with mutual consent of respective cricket boards, if they are in contract with their boards.” Salman said players’ response to participate in the league was very encouraging and they were looking forward to a big participation of foreign players.

To a query, he replied: “There is no option under consideration at the moment to shift the venue of the PSL in case, situation is not conducive to organise the event in Pakistan. Pakistan is the only option of the PSL for us. We will be finalising the venue in Pakistan shortly after taking into consideration all the important aspects.” Salman said the auction of the teams would be completed in February.

Lorgat said they were getting significant progress to launch the league and different quarters were taking keen interest in buying different products of the league including players, teams, TV rights, title sponsorship and co-sponsors. “We will name the title sponsor and co-sponsors shortly,” he said.
Lorgat said FICA's doubts over security in Pakistan did not help the confidence of some players but fortunately, there were many players who had already committed to play in the league which would start from March 26. PCB COO Subhan Ahmed said the board was fully determined to hold the league and it was in regular touch with the other cricket boards as far as the participation of foreign players was concerned.

“We are getting good progress with each passing day to organise the league in a trend-setting manner.” Subhan said the PCB did not recognise FICA and that it did not make sense to go into discussions with them.The statement issued by FICA will not restrict the foreign players to participate in the league,” he concluded.