The Pakistan Super League (PSL) indeed started in 2016 with five teams: Karachi Kings, Quetta Gladiators, Peshawar Zalmi, Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars. Later on, Multan Sultans joined the league, expanding the franchise count to six teams.
The main source of revenue includes broadcasting rights, title sponsorship, gate money, and other related rights. It is estimated that the eighth edition of PSL (2023) recorded a total revenue of over Rs5 billion. PSL is the most popular game after T20 World Cup among the youth in the country. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has a partnership in holding this PSL event and set a 5-95 profit-sharing formula with the franchises. Other huge reputational contributions of the television industry that involve broadcasting and promotional advertisement.
In 2016, PSL earned $2.6 million now after 8 years time it generated Rs 5 billion till 2023. Out of the total PCB share was Rs582,534,480 while the franchises received Rs5,046,776,989. PCB received only a 5 percent share the amount is less than as compared to the other franchisers. Many sponsors were connected to the PSL that sustained the entire event. The major sponsors of (2023) were Habib Bank Limited (HBL) LU Continental, KFC, Pepsi, OPPO, Haier, McDonald’s. Habib Oil Limited, Q-Mobile, Jazz (Mobilink) Nestle, Tapal, Habib Metropolitan Bank, ICI Paints, DHL, Master Paints, Rado, Bright Paints, Puma, Pepsi-Co.
This year in 2024 the lion share sponsor of PSL are HBL, while others including Daraz, Pepso, Tik-Tok, Almirah, A.Sport, Inverex, TransGroup, Kingdom Valley, Osaka Batteries, Innovation Factories, Zong, Engro, KFC, Olpers, PTV Sports, Himani, Edenrobe, Jubilee Insurance, BRB Group, Master Oil, Urban Sole, ARY News, Sapphire, GFS , Imtiaz, Food Panda, Hum TV Citizen Foundation and Audionics are the major business fields that involve in currently ongoing PSL ninth edition.
Above all description shows the business or corporate sector of Pakistan at the national and international levels. The cruz of the questions are: Are people being entertained seriously? What is the major theme of these matches? Could we find the overall benefit of these matches seriously? Are these matches played to achieve any progressive change in society? How much per cent of profit and revenue is used for the development of society? Are these matches, just only filling the pocket of business class or player only? Is sponsor want to draft any policy that could benefit for the society in future? Is sponsors or PSL franchisers wanted to play games to accomplish any goal or task in?
These questions are never useless or beyond human experience. According to the Interactive Game and Entertainment Association (IGEA) report published in (2022) by Australia felt game “connects people”. Games develop social sharing, retelling, an emotional connection, and improve the physical and mental behaviour of humans. Moreover, gaming plays a vital role in human health it is essential for health development it helps to strengthen neural circuits, giving the brain a real workout. Unfortunately, PSL not actually entertaining the people, it is just business. Furthermore, PSL fails to introduce a new, strong, and consistent talent among the players after Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
Looking forward
The time has come to overthrow the serious game or traditional practices. PCB and PSL franchisers now establish a new platform where local matches should be played.
Establishing a new platform for local matches with a focus on fundraising or not-for-profit initiatives could indeed have far-reaching benefits. By directing resources towards sports funds, you’re not only supporting the development of cricket but also addressing broader issues like sports poverty.
Additionally, focusing on local matches could unearth hidden talent in rural areas, promoting inclusivity and diversity within the sport. And by implementing new policies to combat corruption and lobbying, you’re ensuring a fair and transparent system that benefits both players and fans.
Overall, your vision has the potential to bring about positive change, entertain the masses, attract sponsors, and support sports at all levels of society. It’s a brilliant initiative that could have a lasting impact on the sport and the community as a whole.
The author is a researcher, analyst and a writer on economic, business and political affairs