LAHORE — Pakistan will launch its Premier League Twenty20 tournament in March as it bids to lure more international cricketers back to the country. Touring sides have shunned Pakistan since a militant attack on Sri Lanka players in 2009 but last weekend an International World XI took on a Pakistan All Star team in two T20 games. “We have decided to go ahead with the PL as this is the best time for us to bring back some international cricket to Pakistan,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf told Reuters. South African turned down a request from the PCB to adjust the dates for Pakistan's tour from January to March next year as the tour ends on March 24th, about the same time the Premier League is to be launched. The Indian Premier League, the most successful T20 competition amid a raft of new tournaments in south Asia, is set to start around April 4. The board has asked the Pakistan government for a five-year tax exemption for the league. Meanwhile Ashraf has ruled out any plans to hire former Test captain Salim Malik as the next batting coach of the national team. Tendulkar gears up for Tests Record-breaking Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar will make a rare appearance in domestic four-day cricket next week to gain match practice ahead of the home Test series against England. The 39-year-old was named Friday in a 13-man Mumbai squad for a four-day Ranji Trophy match against Railways starting in Mumbai on Nov. 2. Tendulkar, whose last Ranji appearance was in 2009, struggled in a home Test series against New Zealand in August-September when he scored just 63 runs in three innings. Pietersen fails to save Daredevils In Durban, recalled England batsman Kevin Pietersen finally clicked at the Champions League Twenty20 tournament Thursday, but could not prevent Delhi Daredevils making a semifinals exit. Pietersen struck 50 runs off 44 balls against the South African Highveld Lions. Lions made 139-5 after being put in to bat and Delhi responded with 117-9 after a seven-runs-an-over chase fell behind the target after just six overs and never caught up. — Agencies
