PCB in the look out for PPL commisioner's post

A senior PCB official confirmed that the board had placed an advertisement inviting applications from interested and qualified candidates.

"We have invited applications for the commissioner of the PPL who will be responsible for monitoring and managing the league," the official said.

He said the board had done a lot of homework on the proposed league which it plans to hold in November-December this year.

"The time slot we see best to launch the league is at the end of the year because in this period the national team is also free of international commitments and players of some other countries would also be available," the official said.

Sources said that Sarwar Salman Butt, who had also served as managing director of the PCB's Champions Trophy secretariat in 2008, is likely to be appointed as the commissioner of the PPL.

"Sarwar Butt is a strong candidate and is also backed by board officials," the official said.

"He has the required background in managing a event of this magnitude as he has served in senior positions in international banks as well."

The PCB has been bolstered in its bid to launch the PPL after signing an exchange agreement with the Sri Lanka Cricket under which both countries will make their players available for each other's T20 leagues.

Pakistan has also spoken to the Bangladesh Cricket Board about signing a similar exchange programme and sources said they are also trying to convince the BCCI to have some Indian presence and backing in the PPL.

"The PCB has got offers to buy the franchises and for sponsorship from abroad and that has encouraged them a lot," the official said.