PSL facing stormy weather as PCB tries to convert challenge into an opportunity

Peshawar Zalmi's skipper Babar Azam plays a shot during a Pakistan Super League match in this undated photo. — PCB/File

LAHORE: As the Pakistan Super League (PSL) X had set its eyes on the most challenging cricket window of the year, it may have been forced to vacate its traditional February/March window due to Pakistan hosting the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy in Feb/March 2025. The PCB had attempted to convert this challenge into an opportunity.

Starting from the Player Pool which featured cricketing stars from across the globe, including first-time participants like David Warner, Daryl Mitchell, Finn Allen, Kyle Jamieson, Andries Gous, Mitchell Owen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Rishad Hussain, Sean Abbott, Adam Milne and Kane Williamson while the likes of Kushal Mendis and Jason Holder are also playing for the first time.

As former Australian ICC World Cup winning captain Ricky Pointing, who is also head coach of Punjab Kings was quoted as saying in a press conference that with PSL happening at the same time, there’s not a lot of high-quality replacements out there, to be honest.

The player pool was healthy and qualitative that stars like Tim Southee, Jimmy Neesham, Ashton Agar, Usman Khawaja, Reeza Hendricks went unpicked. The squad selected comprise notable the ICC’s T20I top-ranked bowler Akeel Hossain yet to be part of the playing XI.

On the Commentary panel for PSL X, a star-studded line-up was put on display including former chairman MCC Mark Nicholas, Sir Alistair Cook, Martin Guptill coming for the first time in Pakistan for commentary.

While some matches have seen lesser crowds in stadiums, the digital viewership has broken all previous records. The PSL’s live-streaming partners has published data reflecting an 826.5 per cent increase in viewers for the first three matches of the PSL.

They have also reported breaking the barrier of one billion viewers upon reaching the 13th match of the PSL X. PSL’s own social media platforms also show that the views have gone from millions to breaching the one billion milestone.

With PSL achieving such unprecedented heights feathers appeared to have been raffled on May 2. PSL’s social media channels have been blocked in India including some franchise social media pages as well.

When contacted to PCB, the PCB reiterated its long-standing position that the politics and cricket should be kept apart. With PSL now marching towards the conclusion of its 10th edition, interesting times loom ahead. All commercial agreements are set to expire and the 10-year licences granted to franchises are up for renewal.

Perhaps for the first time in the league’s history, the interest of the PCB and franchise do not align. While the PCB intends to grow the league further and ensure its success, the PSL franchises would rather see the league’s value diminished.

This is because after the 10th edition of the PSL, evaluation exercise by an independent expert must take place. The higher the valuation of the league, the more the franchises will have to pay as the revised annual franchise fee. It may very well be the case that the certain franchises have thus not carry out any fan-engagement activities leading up to this year’s PSL, while others have chosen to publicly criticise and devalue the PSL brand. This strategy to inflict damage to Pakistan’s renowned cricketing brand is an analogous to slitting one own’s wrist with selfish and ulterior motive. All burdens and responsibilities to market and engage fans have been left at the behest of the PCB alone.

With most of the matches seen crowd full, the PCB needs to create a fan friendly at the stadia specially in Karachi which is fast becoming a thorn in their Anthony issue for Karachiites. This season has seen some new innovations and incentives from PCB. For the first time, a separate Urdu commentary feed on TV broadcast and live-stream which has increased accessibility and inclusivity.

This may be the reason contributing towards digital media viewership. Other production enhancements such as auto no ball, match officials and tracking technology have not only increased the accuracy of PSL, but has also enhanced the fan viewing experience.

Also, for the spectators at the stadia, a prize raffle has been organised with lucky winners receiving motorbikes, smart phones and other gift hampers. With the last leg of the tournament around the corner, the PCB has its plate full moving forward with the PSL expansion plans in play, whilst the franchises too need to focus on the present to ensure meritorious selection and competitive games.

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