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The inaugural edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has already grabbed attention with some nail-biting finishes and capacity crowds in the United Arab Emirates.
Expectations with the league were high and when it kicked off on February 4, followers of the game began comparing it with the likes of Indian Premier League and the Australian Big Bash T20.
Two weeks into the tournament, project director and the mastermind behind the league, Salman Sarwar Butt, revealed how Pakistan’s very own franchise based T20 league has fared so far.
Here is what Butt says about the lucrative league:
Total Investment made by both Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the five franchises was around $20 million
Some franchises will go close to the break even after the first edition while some will not
PCB is very possibly set to break even
Will the PSL be staged in Pakistan? If yes, when?
We wished to organise the league in Pakistan, but we have to strictly consider the security situation back home as there is involvement of foreign players and coaches
We will definitely take the league back to Pakistan as the security improves with time
The next edition will be held in February 2017 in the UAE, but we are considering staging some matches in Pakistan
Can the franchises handle player transfers just like European football leagues? Any new franchise for next season?
Franchises have the liberty to totally revamp their teams for next season if they wish to
At the moment, all players have signed a one-year contract with their franchises who have an option to extend the contracts for two or three more years or not to renew and eventually release the players
Contractually, another franchise can be added to the PSL in the third edition and the fourth franchise can be added in the fourth edition only
PSL, despite being staged away from Pakistan, has attracted houseful crowds in Sharjah and Dubai.
As Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United compete in the eliminator today, seeking a place in the Tuesday’s final against Quetta Gladiators, PSL Chairman Najam Sethi was excited in informing that all tickets for the final showdown have been sold out.
Read more
United end Kings’ PSL campaign, face Zalmi for place in final
IPL vs PSL: An open letter from an Indian cricket fan
PSL: Andre Russell willing to visit Pakistan, but would be ‘scared’
League of ‘ageing stars’ cannot be compared with PSL: Sethi
Abdul Qadir: ‘Will the PSL really produce a decent Pakistani batsman?’
PSL: Watson gets cricket, life lessons from Wasim Akram
Feb 21, 2016 07:17pm
Interesting. The vacant seats in the stadium suggest that PSL was hurt by the Indian backed Masters league. Also the poor selection of the local players especially the batsmen led to low scores and less exciting matches.
I hope PCB wisens up and brings back Asif Iqbal and Majid Khan to raise the standard of marketing and administration. Otherwise PSL would not reach its full potential.
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Feb 21, 2016 07:17pm
Excellent show. Soon this will be bigger and more watched than other leagues around the world.
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Feb 21, 2016 07:18pm
PSL has been a huge success, Alhamdullilah. Congrats to everyone involved. Few matches in Pakistan next year will be like icing on the cake. For today's match Zalmi is the favourite but I would like United to win. Misbah is handling the team superbly.
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Feb 21, 2016 07:18pm
For some games in Pakistan, foreigners can be left out for that days tournament.
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Feb 21, 2016 07:19pm
Franchise Sports and you break even first yr , It is as good it can get.
Kudos to people behind it.
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Feb 21, 2016 07:22pm
Amazing. Cricket will revive in Pakistan inshallah. Security situation is much better now in Pakistan.
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Feb 21, 2016 07:38pm
Credit goes to the management for doing such a great job.
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Feb 21, 2016 07:41pm
@Umar Khitab Indian backed MCL, do you know who's running it?
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Feb 21, 2016 08:02pm
@Umar Khitab there is never huge total on dubai pitches. It's hard to score but the empty seats are because they are in UAE where pakistanis are working community. It's the first edition away from home. I really enjoyed it and already planned to go there for second edition.
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Feb 21, 2016 08:02pm
@Umar Khitab which world do you live in? Some of the close fought matches in PSL were so exciting and the matches on 19, 20,21 Feb were complete sold out. So is the yet to be played final on 23 Feb.
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Feb 21, 2016 08:22pm
Me and my friends already went 3-4 times to see the matches. Problem is that around 12-15 matches are held in same or almost similar cities where crowd is shared. Had these matches been held in lets say 7 different cities. PSL would have had continued interest of supporters to watch the matches in Stadium. It gets repetitive for the crowd if all the matches are held at same venue.
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Feb 21, 2016 08:27pm
@zak How long we live in fools paradise he is talking about "break even" not profits. next year franchises need spend money as well. least likely franchises will survive to next year.
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Feb 21, 2016 08:53pm
Watched africa and england match jus. ..even psl effect Is seen there in crowd.peshawar zalmi flags were flying there...it Is awsome
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Feb 21, 2016 08:58pm
In what world is breaking even after investing $20M considered a success as so many have pointed in the comments.
Really, its an utter failure. Aside from a few legitimate ticket purchasers everyone else in stadiums is there through a sponsored invitation (read: for free).
The PSL has failed - as was expected. The international players are all rejects or has-beens. Who are the Dawid Malans? Some Wessels guy? Some Cameron.
Better to focus on league format T20 in Pakistan for Pakistanis only and exporting our own players to go to the IPL or other T20 formats. Us Pakistanis are not a big enough marker to be successful in this venture.
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Feb 21, 2016 09:11pm
break even means PSL will not survive.
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Feb 21, 2016 09:13pm
@MASOOD do you know the rule of business? When we invest the first year is a loss. Next year or may be after that you break even and the next year after that you reap profit. That's why they say don't think about profit the first year . Here we are talking about breaking even in the very first year. Business requires patience otherwise you are doomed.
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Feb 21, 2016 09:28pm
@Rou Why don't we admit the fact? What is wrong with all of us? Why that rule doesn't apply all other leagues? First year has to be grand success with profits otherwise franchises and sponsors lose confidence. Just look at our neighbour's league IPL, check what happened in the in their inaugural year.
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Feb 21, 2016 09:46pm
Keeping political differences away, Najam Sethi and team must be appreciated for the great success of PSL.
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Feb 21, 2016 09:54pm
@Ali Dublin I enjoyed it too, but on TV. When everybody can see almost empty stadiums, what is the need for him to say houseful crowds? Whom he is trying to fool?
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Feb 21, 2016 10:24pm
When IPL staged few matches in UAE few years ago, they had to fly people from India and also give corporate packages to companies to fill the ground despite being a well established league with world's best players. The news of breaking even in first season is brilliant. We are talking about a league which isn't even being played in home. The level of cricket has been absolutely brilliant and exceeded my expectations. That match between Gladiators and Zalmi would stay in my memory for a long long time.
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Feb 21, 2016 10:58pm
I am never a fan of conspiracy theories but I see a lot of jealousy in comment section. I remember Salman, owner of Karachi kings, talking during a PSL match how his investment is coming good and he feels its a smart investment in long run. If any franchise owner was looking to make quick bucks then be is in wrong business. A lot of T20 leagues only broke even after 2,3 seasons. Pakistan have loved this league with highest TV ratings in country which is amazing. More power to PSL and dear neighbors, we are loving "failed league" so let us e joy it and you go about your business.
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Feb 21, 2016 11:15pm
20 million for all the franchises plus the PCB ??? IPL spends that much just on promotion every year !
But its good. Slow and steady, it will grow with time.
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Feb 21, 2016 11:29pm
Total flop event.
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Feb 21, 2016 11:30pm
what a selection Iftikhar Ahmed ,Khurram Manzoor ?
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Feb 21, 2016 11:30pm
In the first year, they surely have made some investments which they will not have to repeat the following year. Then adding an other franchise will give them some more breathing space.
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Feb 22, 2016 12:19am
@MASOOD Franchises were told not to expect profits from the first edition, even before the inception of the league. The owners are astute business persons, I guess, and carry some wise heads on their shoulders !!!
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Feb 22, 2016 12:31am
Good going PSL..!
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Feb 22, 2016 12:52am
Great news. Obviously the league is being played in foreign land in only two cities, even than we see sizeable crowds and at times full houses, especially in Sharjah. Due to these reasons, PSL was not supposed to be in profit from the word go. That's okay. Its a great start and inshallah it can only grow bigger from here.
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Feb 22, 2016 01:17am
come down its first season ............
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Feb 22, 2016 01:41am
@MASOOD break even or close to break even outside Pakistan is a big sucess. With this sucess every visionary sponsor or frechies owner could forsea the level of profit this league will generate once it moves to pakustan in few years time.
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Feb 22, 2016 01:42am
@MASOOD IPL was full of match fixing, that's how they earned money, there were corruption cases against their top management
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Feb 22, 2016 01:46am
I have watched most of the matches on tele living in UK and most of Pakistanis I talked to here are glued to it. everyone here will be waiting for next edition and alot of fans next will fly from here to watch PSL. well done PCB for giving this gift to Pakistanis around the world. who cares about IPL or big bash now when we hv our own PSL now.
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Feb 22, 2016 02:29am
@Deep I couldn't figure out your success criteria..... was it money, a packed stadium, big players, quality cricket or what???? For PCB, even making it happen is a huge success...... it's like putting a crashed car back on track before thinking of even participating in the race...... Well done PCB for the first step.....
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Feb 22, 2016 03:10am
its growing up and this is a positive sign for cricket in our country, atleast our player got the chance to play some where, it will grow up more talent and new players into our cricket team, Najam Sethi did hard work and bring so many news players into this tournament.
http://www.pakistantoday.tv/islamabad-united-v-peshwar-zalmi-ali-zafar-teases-hamza-ali-abbasi/
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Feb 22, 2016 03:47am
I am in US and would have certainly paid to watch matches like the 1st playoff, no doubt. I subscribe to willow.tv but they are not showing the matches. I would have paid more.
I support the Pakistani league whole heartedly. match schedule/format is weird but it is a great tournament overall.
We don't have so many things to look forward to, in Pakistan. And, this was probably the best thing happened to Pakistani cricket in many years.
Obviously, the crowds will not be what you see for IPL in India. But, that is not a PCB or a PSL issue. That is a world politics and a Pakistani govt issue.
Let's continue supporting it and not be bogged down by pessimistic and negativity from some.
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Feb 22, 2016 04:04am
Well done PCB, I am not a PCB supporter, but you have to give them credit, for what they did with little resources.
Most of the games were very interesting, even with low scores the games were fought hard, and taken to the last over.
For next year if the PCB, play few games in QATAR, few in Pakistan, it would be even better.
I think PCB is already succes.
Like many people have said,in business, breaking even in the first year is success.
There are lot of jealous people making comments. Please ignore them, and start playing for 2017.
BEST OF LUCK.
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Feb 22, 2016 04:55am
I am surprised to see the comments criticizing the break-even or close to it for the very first edition. It's a huge success in business term under many constraints (not in Pakistan, MCL was running the same time, expensive to be in Dubai etc etc...). Had it run in Pakistan, the profit might have come or close to the investments amount! Whenever PSL moves to Pakistan, I am sure there will be a jump to the profit.
Haven't you seen the real estate investments have started to move to Karachi and Islamabad fro Dubai (since most investors are of Pakistani origin) where the house prices are reaching rocketed high.
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Feb 22, 2016 05:11am
Question ? What was or is the purpose of PSL ?
Ans : 1) To promote cricket in Pakistan, and
2) To entertain the cricket deprived local public.
Did it achieve any of the above two goals ?
I don't think so. When even the much hyped PCB cannot arrange domestic cricket in Pakistan, why would the foreign teams come to play bilateral series in Pakistan ?
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Feb 22, 2016 06:14am
@Amir I live in Australia and same here - PSL is very popular among Pakistanis. I myself was up until 3 am for quite a few weekday nights.
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Feb 22, 2016 06:29am
@Deep Incase you missed PSL, apart from David Malan, PSL included the likes of Chris Gayle, KP, Sangakarra, Watson, Haddin, Bopara, Elliot, Sammy, Bravo, Russel and many others. IPL showers money over these players but they are playing in PSL as well for small amount, thats success of PSL.
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Feb 22, 2016 06:39am
i live in usa i believe a 5000 of the cricket lover from florida alone was glued to PSL i paid $2 for quarter final and final i wish it was $50 i would have loved to pay and watch PSL
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Feb 22, 2016 07:04am
PSL is a success that much is evident. It should have a Muzzafarabad/Gilgit team as well. Why leave behind Azad Kashmir?
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Feb 22, 2016 07:44am
@Nihari Lal 007 you can catch the final on youtube.com/psl
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Feb 22, 2016 08:23am
Very well done PCB. Its the most popular tournament in cricket world these days!
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Feb 22, 2016 08:39am
@Deep serious lack of confidence, 6th largest country with almost 70% less than 28 years of age and it doesn't have potential for its most loved sport? create a nursery for the IPL? where's the hope?
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Feb 22, 2016 08:43am
@Awais . Let PSL thrive for another couple of years and will see if it still a clean tournament ?
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Feb 22, 2016 08:44am
@Confused you are definitely confused here. The key objective of PSL at present is is to given second and third tier Pakistan player exposure to international cricket - in particular until the recommencement of international cricket in Pakistan. PCB has been outlying this as being the key objective from day one
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Feb 22, 2016 09:23am
@Deep Rubbish...These so called rejects were playing BBL a few weeks back and still performing better than all the youngsters...
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Feb 22, 2016 09:32am
@Kaleem They even play for BPL, CPL, BBL and county where they get less than IPL so no big deal, what success are you talking about?
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Feb 22, 2016 09:34am
PCB should worry about cricket more than money. If you are so starved of money reduce expenditure. Everyone is happy about the success of PSL & PCB is only interested in money matters only.
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Feb 22, 2016 09:35am
@Waseem Sarwar you love it or hate, we don't care. What we care about is that almost in every article related to PSL, comparison is done with IPL which shows your obsession with it. Amusing isn't it?
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Feb 22, 2016 09:36am
I live in Canberra Australia and hang around a big cricket loving and playing Pakistanis. I tell you what it was a total hit, we have been talking about the league through out the tournament and discussed all the games. I plan to take leave and watch next edition of PSL in UAE as I grew up there.
I congratulate the people who made it such a success and poured into the grounds and made them sell out games!
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Feb 22, 2016 10:00am
@uet
Breakeven in the first year. Something fishy?
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Feb 22, 2016 10:05am
@Confused You really are confused aren't you? The answer to both your questions is in the positive. I absolutely did not follow cricket or care about it. PSL has created passion and excitement in many passive pessimists like myself. It is an achievement for Pakistanis all over the world. And if PCB and PSL are facing negativity from people like @Deep and you, then they are surely doing something right
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Feb 22, 2016 10:11am
@Umar Khitab Bhai... organizing a league away from your country is too much success.. Kabi to positive ho jao.. humesha buraia hi karni hoti hain tm jese logo ne. House full in almost all sharjah matches.. People lived there are mostly working there so it's too much success to attract these types of people. PSL is hit.
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Feb 22, 2016 10:15am
Common people....It is not business ...it is cricket. Enjoy, let the businessman focus on profit and loss. Being an Indian, I feel the discussion about it's success in terms of money is a waste. What is important to see the moral that has been uplifted. Good going.
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Feb 22, 2016 10:17am
The bottom line will matter in the years ahead as top talent will cost a lot of money and bottom talent can't fill stadiums for long . After all the first edition euphoria ends pcb must ask where do they want to take this league . A paltry 20m $ league has no future
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Feb 22, 2016 10:37am
@Umar Khitab The series is being played in Dubai, not in Pakistan.
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Feb 22, 2016 10:38am
First of all, a big congratulations to the organizers and the franchises for a massive success which was against all odds but you guys defintly pulled it off. As with any new thing, there are a lot of learnings and I am sure you will work on them and come out with even better product next time. If you can bring it to Pakistan then its going to be massive. Additionally, my biggest fear is empty seats in a sold out final. I know the tickets have been sold out online but the same are being sold at higher prices on classified websites. Considering the final is on a weekday, I doubt the buyers of tickets were all genuine users. Majority wanted to make a quick buck but are now stuck with tickets. There should be some controls around how many tickets a person can buy even though for PCB its revenue but you don't want to shout sold out when thousands of seats are actually vacant.
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Feb 22, 2016 11:04am
even though I don't agree with most of the acts coming out of PCB ..but for PSL well done PCB ...not sure about other parts of the world ..but here in gulf states and Pakistan ..we are all glued to the tournament ..all discussion in last 2 weeks have been all about PSL ..to those who are judging by some matches with small crowds .in stadium ..we know that millions are watching away form UAE and money is being generated based on viewership ..not purely with crowds in stadium ..for the next year ..I strongly support the following ideas ..
have few matches in Pakistan as well as in Qatar and Abu Dhabi ..for sure we will see more crowd in stadiums ..all the best PSL
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Feb 22, 2016 11:27am
@Deep: I guess you have little knowledge of business.... breakeven in 2-3 years is a huge success as after that, it's just all profits... breakeven in the very first year is something outstanding!! All the franchise owners will be pretty happy and rich as this PSL league goes into 2nd 3rd year and onwards.
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Feb 22, 2016 11:47am
@RamRam The fact that you have taken time out to read the article and comment on the success or 'paltry' failure of a meager $20M league is in itself a sign of the effects of it. So keep commenting - this nation has survived the tests of time and it will continue to do so.
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Feb 22, 2016 01:08pm
India contributes 80% revenues to Cricket and Pakistan about 6%, we have to accept IPL ve PSL will be like that. If we spend more than 10% of IPL then there will be loses.
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Feb 22, 2016 01:09pm
@zak hahahahah
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Feb 22, 2016 01:15pm
@MASOOD even then BCCI gets only 22% of share in revenues, isn't that loss?
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Feb 22, 2016 01:34pm
@A Shah ... Please wake up.
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Feb 22, 2016 01:55pm
Lets set the expectations for the PSL, particularly for those of our negative neighbors:
-Competitive domestic matches
-Raise standard of performances
-Exposure to international work ethic
-Market the product sufficiently for longevity
PSL organizers despite their political allegiances have managed to organize the tournament in a 3rd country with satisfactory crowd support (with weekends being total sell outs - which i witnessed first hand Zalmi vs Quetta Bears).
For Pakistani fans, its been a great experience (objective achieved).
For Indians, be weary...our team has managed to remain competitive without any home cricket - the youngsters which will emerge, will play with no handbrake as previous teams which beat you so much.....you refuse to play us in the ME region!
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Feb 22, 2016 02:10pm
@naz even when PAK was playing at home till 2009, it was not topping the charts in all 3 formats. And everyone knows UAE is like a second home for PAK as it knows the conditions like no other team, so no point playing victim card. Finally, its wary not weary (two different meanings).
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Feb 22, 2016 02:15pm
@Amir
So true, I have also been glued to it in UK. People seem to be comparing this to IPL. A true comparison is the CPL in the West Indies and personally I think PSL has eclipsed that.
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Feb 22, 2016 04:49pm
@Vham Only downside is stadiums not jam packed because its not real home. Other wise home viewers all over the world are tuned enjoying a massive popularity and its growing even bigger. Pakistan already planned a T20 league before the IPL but security concerns delayed it.
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Feb 22, 2016 05:10pm
Why are there so many people who are keen to predict financial disaster for PSL? Yes, we accept that IPL is a bigger money-maker than PSL, but it's hardly a fair comparison as PSL is in its first year. Secondly, financial success or not, it's a perfect medium for clean, good-natured cricket.
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Feb 22, 2016 05:12pm
All high profile public events involving foreigners have been really hard on Pakistan. Karachi Lit Fest, Lahore Lit Fest, Karachi Eat, Lahore Eat, and now PSL all struggle in the first few years and have issues with planning/coordination but eventually become a real success. Even some of the nice malls in Karachi still haven't taken off the way Dolmen and Nueplex have but growth here is extremely slow. As long as the PSL team really focuses on improving every year, things should get better for them. First off all, merchandise should be more easily available in Pakistan. It would create a fan atmosphere here in Pak and create revenue for teams as well, specifically with players jerseys with their name and number on the back. Games should also start on time and perhaps there should be some kind of halftime entertainment and good quality refreshments to draw crowds. These are all staples of Foreign sporting events, and if PSL wants to be a large scale event it will have to follow.
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Feb 22, 2016 05:33pm
@Deep u need to think big. With all the Anti PSL agents secretly working to make it a failure, everyone had been talking and taking keen interest in the teams. That's a huge success dear.
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Feb 22, 2016 05:35pm
@Anuj , I look at the things in a bit different way. Every time PSL is mentioned somewhere, IPL fan boys are always there to remind us that how much money IPL makes and how much PSL need to. I am astonished how insecure some of our neighbors feel about themselves. :) It's more amusing for us to see those comments. :)
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Feb 22, 2016 06:06pm
@The Observer Name those agents please.
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Feb 22, 2016 06:23pm
PSL success has been phenominal. Foreign selectors were seen from UK and Australia regularly , watching new pakistani talent.
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Feb 22, 2016 06:42pm
@Umar Khitab Overall it was a good tournament if not perfect, yes there is a room for improvement I agree.
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Feb 22, 2016 09:46pm
PSL matches have been a treat to watch really. Lets hope that the final will be a cracker as well
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Feb 23, 2016 12:44am
@Confused
Yes you are confused, lets see your two questions.
Question ? What was or is the purpose of PSL ?
Ans : 1) To promote cricket in Pakistan,
Well more people will play cricket in Pakistan, and the local teams will want to do well and hopefully PSL will come back to Pakistan, in a few years.
and 2) To entertain the cricket deprived local public.
The local were entertained also Pakistani all over the world.
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Feb 23, 2016 03:02am
@Anuj - UAE has been made into second home, yet is still home away from home.
I can see why you would say that based on India's record there and superstition of not wanting to play there ever again...back when the Sharjah beatings were an annual habit..
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Feb 23, 2016 11:11am
Hope next year they manage PSL at pakistan.
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Feb 23, 2016 11:18am
@Waseem Sarwar
Very nice comment.... Thnx for explaining.. :)
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Feb 23, 2016 11:30am
PSL management just needs to remain within their bounds... Dont compare with any other league in the world... U have unique challenges and probably unique opportunities too... Just keep focused with your job and you may do wonders... BTW Salman is an Ex-Banker and would definitely been actively involved in financial modelling of business plan, so we can see PSL being run professionally thus far...
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Feb 23, 2016 12:56pm
I have read some unreasoned and pathetic comments from our neighbors that purely show their jealousy for PSL. We want to tell them that we don’t need their feedback and illogical reviews. We Pakistanis are really thankful to the management of the PSL for providing us the brilliant cricket in last 3 weeks’ time. PSL is a great success.
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Feb 23, 2016 04:14pm
@Samrat: Well no, you are wrong. Big Bash last season only had around 12 foreign players. Around 7 or 8 of them were West Indians and they are already in PSL right now. PSL in addition has many more value-adding players. So not all leagues have as much variety.
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Feb 23, 2016 04:21pm
@ah indians are the biggest investors in Dubai check on google
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