LAHORE: The owner of the newly-inducted Sialkot franchise in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL), Hamza Majeed, shared his ambitious roadmap during a press conference at the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore, emphasising that his goals extend beyond winning trophies to reviving the cricketing legacy of Sialkot.
Majeed explained that his decision to name the franchise after Sialkot was a deliberate tribute to Allama Iqbal, noting that the nation has somewhat forgotten Iqbal’s legacy. “Iqbal’s Sialkot must be highlighted to the world,” he remarked, adding that the team will represent both the city’s passion and its historical significance.
During a recent visit to Sialkot, the management witnessed immense enthusiasm among locals, reinforcing the importance of giving the city its own PSL identity.
The franchise has pledged to play a lead role in restoring the Sialkot Test Center, which has long been neglected. While the PCB has offered the Faisalabad Stadium as a temporary home venue, Majeed stressed that his first priority is to establish a proper home ground in Sialkot. Work on a state-of-the-art High Performance Center is scheduled to begin within the next 10 days.
Acknowledging Pakistan’s vibrant tape-ball culture, the franchise also plans to launch initiatives to support players from that circuit, ensuring grassroots talent is not overlooked.
Majeed revealed that the franchise is already in contact with six to seven Australian cricketers, with three to four expected to join the squad. The team also intends to benefit from the expertise of Australian specialists.
Selections, he clarified, will be strictly merit-based, with priority given to: Top national (Pakistani) players; local talent from Sialkot; and international players.
Coaching staff will also follow this principle, with local coaches prioritized over foreign appointments unless expertise is unavailable. The franchise further aims to honor Sialkot’s cricketing legends, specifically mentioning Zaheer Abbas.
The official team name, logo, and branding will be unveiled next week. Majeed concluded by stating: “We are here with a complete business plan and full preparation.
