Low Attendance at Gaddafi Stadium Affects PSL
The PCB's efforts to separate politics and cricket, combined with the introduction of new innovations, have helped to increase the league's digital viewership and fan engagement. However, the low attendance at Gaddafi Stadium and the controversy surrounding the franchises' interests and the PCB's goals may impact the league's long-term success.
The 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has seen low attendance at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, a traditionally lively venue, raising concerns about the league's viability. Despite featuring international stars like David Warner and James Vince, the lack of fans is affecting the league's success.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing difficulties after the Pahalgam terror attack, which has resulted in a decline in attendance at the PSL 2025 matches. The PSL match between Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings in Lahore was sparsely attended, with the stadium looking empty. This has raised concerns about the league's viability and the potential impact on the PCB's efforts to expand the league.
The PSL broadcast has also been banned in India, and 30 Indian workers who were working on the broadcast have returned to India. Pakistani players are also facing financial losses due to the ban on their YouTube channels and Instagram accounts in India. The PCB maintains that politics and cricket should be kept separate, despite the challenges posed by the ban.
However, the digital viewership of the PSL has broken all previous records, with a 826.5% increase in viewers for the first three matches and over 1 billion viewers for the 13th match. The PCB has introduced some new innovations, including a separate Urdu commentary feed and production enhancements like auto no ball and match officials tracking technology, which have increased the accuracy and fan viewing experience.
As the league approaches its conclusion, the PCB is focused on expanding the league and ensuring its success, while the franchises need to focus on the present to ensure meritorious selection and competitive games. The PCB is attempting to convert the challenges into opportunities, featuring a star-studded player pool and a commentary panel that includes former ICC World Cup-winning captain Ricky Ponting.