PSL X

The tenth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) kicks off in the newly refurbished Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium tonight. This will be the last edition of the tournament to feature the current six-team format, with the league set to be expanded to eight or nine teams by the next edition, a fitting way to mark the tournament’s tenth anniversary. This year’s PSL will also feature new broadcasting technology and features that give audiences a more detailed view of what is happening on the pitch. Cricket is a game with a lot of numbers and its enthusiasts often love looking over various game stats and to debate how fields should be set up, bowlers should bowl and which stroke would bring a batter the most success. As such, this new broadcasting tech might be a treat for diehard fans. The league also has the usual collection of foreign players that elevates it above a regular domestic tournament. In fact, the haul of foreign stars for this edition is unusually impressive, with Kane Williamson, David Warner, Daryl Mitchell, Jason Holder and Rassie Van Der Dussen among the most prominent names selected in the 2025 PSL draft.

But, speaking of fans, where exactly are they right now? Despite all the things to look forward to in this tournament and the significance of the PSL's tenth anniversary, the lead up to this tournament has been somewhat muted in terms of fanfare. The opening ceremony promises to be as exciting as any of the previous ones, but if one does not keep up with cricket, they could be forgiven for not knowing that the PSL starts today. What explains this lackluster build-up? For one, despite the PSL’s emphasis on foreign players, it is the local stars that remain the core of the league and the bedrock of this country’s love for cricket. Sadly, the recent performances of the latter have had many fans falling out of love with the game itself. From disappointing and historic losses to Bangladesh and England last year to being knocked out in the group stage of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, despite being tournament hosts, the last year or so has been as rough and disappointing a period for Pakistan cricket as one could possibly imagine. It is hard to ask fans to keep tuning in for a game their country is no longer very good at or to cheer for players that have not shown up for their country.

One must also point out that the Champions Trophy that preceded this edition of the PSL was, barring India’s matches, played on home soil. Doubts about the PSL’s overall impact on Pakistan’s cricket scene also seem to be growing. The tournament has certainly brought a lot of commercial revenues and attention to the nation’s cricket scene but it has been far less successful in actually improving the quality of local cricketers or building up grassroots cricket. Some might even argue that, with the money Pakistani stars make in the PSL, they do not need to take national cricket as seriously. Their recent performances, sadly, only reinforce this speculation. While the PSL must continue to be supported, perhaps our cricket think tank can do a better job of enhancing national cricket? There is no excuse for our recent performances.