Pakistan confirms match officials for T20 league

Former South African allrounder Mike Proctor, fellow countryman Rudi Koertzen and Zimbabwean Russell Tiffin were Thursday confirmed as match officials for Pakistan's Twenty20 league.

Although all three have retired as top-level ICC (International Cricket Council) officials, their confirmation is the first sign of foreign participation in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) which starts from March 26. "The PSL is pleased to announce that, apart from Pakistani umpires Aleem Dar and Asad Rauf, three other match officials Procter, Koertzen and Tiffin have confirmed their participation in the PSL 2013," said a PCB release.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the league is the first step towards reviving international cricket in the country since it suspended in March 2009 following a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore.

PSL managing director Salman Sarwar Butt said he was pleased with the appointments. "The PSL is in full steam recruiting top-notch match officials and exciting cricketers. In addition, preparation is proceeding apace in all other aspects and the team is well on track," said Butt.

The PCB faces a huge challenge in convincing foreign players and match officials to come for the inaugural edition of the PSL, with a max of six foreign players in each of the five teams.

AFP