As Pakistan’s favorite cricket league hits its 10-year milestone, the shine is starting to wear off. While passion still runs deep, cracks are forming — from growing fan apathy and underwhelming performances to discontent among franchises and the fading appeal of star players.
In Pakistan, cricket isn’t just a sport — it’s a shared national pulse. Whether it’s a high-stakes match or a street-side TV screening, the country comes alive for cricket. But that energy has always been tied to one thing: the national team. When Pakistan’s squad is firing, the nation rallies behind them — filling stadiums, lighting up social feeds, and flooding tea stalls with analysis. But when the form drops, so does the mood — and that trickles down to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) too.
After a decade, there’s no denying the PSL has grown. It’s brought international cricket back to local grounds, launched hometown heroes, and boosted domestic competition. Still, its popularity often mirrors the highs and lows of the national team. A successful series? The league rides that wave. A slump? The enthusiasm nosedives.
What’s making matters worse is that frustration isn’t limited to fans anymore. Franchise owners are voicing concerns about the league’s management, especially when it comes to marketing and fan engagement. Despite increased focus on digital visibility and broadcast deals, the soul of the PSL — the live experience, the crowd connection — seems to be fading.
Now, as the 10th edition kicks off, the real question isn’t about viewership numbers or media partnerships. It’s deeper: Can the PSL reconnect with its roots? Can it move beyond being just another televised event and become a cultural force, a community that fans feel proud to belong to?
The Cracks Beneath the Glitz
Ten seasons in, the PSL should be cruising. But behind the slick promos and hashtags, there’s growing discontent — and it’s becoming harder to ignore.
Fans sense it, players feel it, and franchise owners are starting to say it out loud. Match quality has dipped, viewership is stagnating, and the general vibe seems… off.
Take the pre-season press conference: instead of energy and excitement, the air was heavy with fatigue. Captains looked worn out, responses were bland, and the usual banter felt forced. Multan Sultans’ captain Mohammad Rizwan added fuel to the fire with a cryptic comment on the national team’s struggles: “Everyone knows what’s going on. Each person is responsible for what they have control over.” That vague remark stirred more questions than it answered.
Then came awkward exchanges between players and reporters — the kind that reflect underlying tension. PSL CEO Salman Naseer tried to inject some lightness by asking players to share favorite league moments, but the forced smiles said it all. When your team leaders seem uninspired, it affects everything — from performance to fan morale.
And let’s not forget the scheduling issue. Once again, the PSL clashes with the Indian Premier League (IPL), the world’s biggest T20 competition. This forces international players to choose — and more often than not, they’re choosing the IPL. Corbin Bosch left Peshawar Zalmi to join Mumbai Indians, and stars like Bairstow and Williamson didn’t even consider PSL due to calendar conflicts.
Add to that the PSL’s reliance on foreign talent. While local players are improving, it’s international stars who often attract fans. But global schedules and ongoing security concerns are making these signings harder to pull off — and that hurts the league’s appeal.
What the PSL needs now is a strategic reset — not just in branding, but in spirit, planning, and execution. It’s still a beloved part of Pakistan’s cricket story. But if it doesn’t evolve, it risks losing relevance.
The Tensions Behind the Scenes
As the 10th season begins, tension is mounting behind the curtain. Franchise owners are openly criticizing the league’s direction, citing a lack of innovation and uninspiring management.
Multan Sultans’ owner Ali Tareen didn’t mince words in a podcast appearance. He took aim at the PCB’s bold promises about this being “the biggest PSL yet,” calling it nothing but “hollow words.” His gripe? Nothing feels new — same teams, same format, same stadiums.
“If you keep repeating the same things, how is it going to be the biggest season?” he asked. For him, it’s the small things — better food, improved fan zones, thoughtful changes — that could make a difference. Tareen cited the Big Bash League, which introduced fresh gameplay ideas like the Power Surge. “If you don’t want to innovate, fine — but stop pretending you are.”
He was also critical of how the PSL trophy was unveiled — during a game show. “What are they doing to a successful brand? You’re launching the trophy on Jeeto Pakistan — what next, giving the winner a water cooler?”
Tareen called for transparency and action: new anthems, high-profile signings, maybe even matches abroad. “We are stakeholders. We want this to be the biggest PSL ever. But give us a reason to believe it.”
Salman Iqbal, owner of Karachi Kings and ARY, hit back, defending the PSL as a “made-in-Pakistan success story.” He criticized Tareen for airing grievances publicly. “What hurts more is when one of our own disrespects the league,” he said.
The PCB, meanwhile, claimed Tareen hadn’t attended meetings and accused him of stirring controversy without offering solutions. Tareen later clarified that his comments came from a place of love. “I don’t want us to stagnate. I want the PSL to grow, to innovate. I’ll keep pushing to make it better — especially for the fans.”
Where’s the Buzz?
Once the most anticipated event in Pakistan’s cricketing calendar, the PSL now seems to be struggling to maintain its spark. Dwindling national team performances, high-profile no-shows, and internal drama have chipped away at the hype.
Take Mohib Asad, 21, a PSL fan from day one. “This year? I’m not really excited. After watching Pakistan flop at the Champions Trophy and in the New Zealand series, the PSL doesn’t feel the same,” he said. “We used to buy tickets in advance. Now, we’re just hoping the matches surprise us.”
He’s not alone. Social media timelines are quieter, friend groups less invested, and even stadiums seem slower to fill. The connection is still there — but the magic feels muted.
For the PCB and PSL management, this is a wake-up call. Fans are the foundation. Rekindling their passion means more than streaming numbers — it means building real, memorable experiences.
Silver Linings
Despite the criticisms, not all is gloom and doom. PSL still delivers in key areas — and it deserves credit where it’s due.
The fan base remains loyal: Even if the noise isn’t as loud, PSL has cemented its place in Pakistan’s cricket culture. Fans still show up, still debate team selections, still care.
The matches often thrill: Last-over finishes, record chases, and underdog wins — PSL still knows how to serve drama on the pitch.
It boosts the economy and national morale: The league creates jobs, supports vendors, and brings international attention. Financially, it’s strengthened the PCB and helped bring international cricket back to Pakistan.
New stars continue to emerge: Every season introduces breakout talent. The PSL remains a critical launchpad for young Pakistani players who often graduate to the national team.
Big Names and Rising Stars
PSL continues to strike a balance between global names and rising local talent:
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (Lahore): Still terrifying with the new ball.
- Babar Azam (Peshawar): Mr. Consistency, leading with calm and class.
- David Warner (Karachi): Late signing, huge buzz.
- Finn Allen (Quetta): Explosive power hitter, fan favorite in the making.
Among local gems:
- Saad Masood (Islamabad): Smart left-arm pacer.
- Arafat Minhas (Karachi): Raw but promising all-rounder.
- Khawaja Nafay & Hassan Nawaz (Quetta): Contrasting styles, same potential.
- Shadab Khan (Islamabad): Still the all-round spark.
- Mohammad Rizwan (Multan): Calm, classy, composed.
- Sikandar Raza (Lahore): A Zimbabwean heart-stealer, quietly influential.
- Akif Javed (Multan) & Ben Dwarshuis (Islamabad): Underrated but reliable.
So, Is Anyone Still Excited?
That’s the question the PSL needs to answer — and quickly. Because at its heart, a league isn’t built on marketing. It’s built on moments. On memories. On fans who feel seen and heard.
People want more than just cricket. They want an experience — smoother ticketing, cleaner stadiums, better food. They want to bring their families and leave with memories, not frustration.
And while homegrown talent is crucial, the star power still matters. The kind that fills stadiums, trends on Twitter, and inspires kids to dream big.
A decade in, PSL isn’t in decline — but it is at a crossroads. Relevance doesn’t stick around if you don’t earn it. Loyalty fades if you don’t nurture it.
Because the real win isn’t lifting
