Shahid Afridi plans to buy a franchise in Pakistan Junior League

KARACHI: Former international cricketer Shahid Khan Afridi showed his interest in buying a franchise in newly introduced Pakistan Junior League (PJL). 

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), under the leadership of its chairman Ramiz Raja, introduced an U19 players-based franchise cricket league which is scheduled to take place in October this year in Lahore. 

The cricket board is looking for people who are interested in buying the franchises. 

Meanwhile, one of the prominent cricket names in the country, Afridi showed his interest. 

"I have a plan to buy a franchise in junior league. In fact, I have talked about this with a couple of my friends because I don't know financial aspects of buying a team. So, let's see how it goes," former cricketer said while speaking on a local tv talk show. 

Afridi, who is currently active with his social work, backed the idea of PCB to stage a league at junior level. "Everyone has their own opinion and I don't want to argue with anyone over this league," Afridi responded when he was asked about the criticism PJL faced from some of the senior cricketers. 

"For me, this is a good idea until and unless 50-overs and four-day cricket continues. I have always been vocal about polishing cricketers at U19 level. I think this league will provide ample opportunities to our budding cricketers in terms of environment, camera facing and crowd. Usually, our domestic cricket doesn't have big crowds and live telecast, so this league will be a confidence booster in that sense," he explained. 

The former Pakistan captain also supported the idea of involving star cricketers with U19 players for their grooming. "U19 level is the best time to coach players. At senior level, you just need management guidance, coaching doesn't work there. If some of our big players get involved in this league, it will produce some good players for the future," he concluded. 

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