PPL renamed Twenty20 Super League

The proposed Pakistan Premier League (PPL) has been renamed the Twenty20 Super League, the Pakistan Cricket Board has announced. The league, planned for September next year, was conceived following the success of the recently-concluded Indian Premier League.

Nasim Ashraf, the PCB chairman, said the tournament will be modeled on the franchise system similar to the IPL

."We have had meetings with two international companies interested in the event and we are confident international companies will buy franchises in the Twenty20 league,"

Ashraf said after a meeting of the board's governing body in Lahore on Saturday.

Pakistan have replaced England in the inaugural Champions League tournament in September and October this year after the Indian board imposed restrictions on English counties selecting players linked to the Indian Cricket League. The tournament features the top two Twenty20 domestic teams from Australia, South Africa and the winner and runner-up in the IPL. It is expected that the top two teams of Pakistan's domestic Twenty20 tournament - proposed for August this year - will take part in the Champions League.

The PCB governing body has also decided against sacking the Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson, following the team's victory over India in the final of the Kitply Cup tri-series in Bangladesh recently. Lawson was earlier criticised for his team's inconsistent performances since taking over last year.

The governing body has also decided not to inquire into the sacking of Saleem Altaf, a senior board official, over allegations that he leaked sensitive information to the press.

"The matter was discussed by the members and the body feels there is no need for further investigations in the sacking case of Altaf,"

Ashraf said.

A budget of Rs 3.9 billion for the current fiscal year has been approved, with plans to build 35 new stadiums in the country and renovate existing ones.