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Is it beneficial to experiment by hosting the PSL in the UK, USA, Canada for future seasons?

Savak

Savak

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Saj suggested this in one of the threads and he felt that given that Britain has the highest Pakistani population worldwide among the Western countries, is it a worthwhile option to host the PSL in the UK for a season? The advantage could be getting good jampacked crowds in the UK stadiums given how passionate UK Pakistani's are about Pakistani Cricket. This will give a good opportunity for the PCB to promote the PSL in the UK and see if this could invite Franchise interest or Broadcast, Sponsorship interest among UK broadcasters, businessmen, firms.

The problem with this suggestion is when can you host it given that the ECB will have their county season, natwest t20 league, odi championships and the hundred tournament going on?

Similarly can the PCB explore this opportunity in the US, Canada as well for the reasons mentioned above?

Najam Sethi apparently told the government that the PCB gets offers from foreign countries to host the PSL abroad and here the Pakistani govt rather than create an enabling environment were further creating additional problems, constraints by trying to burden the PCB, Franchises with security costs.
 
The main fanbase would be asleep during the match timings if held in USA or Canada.
Plus ticketing prices is a big issue in USA. Not to mention the weather (Feb-March) would render it only be limited to states like Texas, NC, FL etc.
 
It’s taken us forever to get the psl to be played in Pakistan. Let’s just stick with playing the Pakistan super league in Pakistan for now and expanding the # of local venues as and when we can.
 
Savak said:
Saj suggested this in one of the threads and he felt that given that Britain has the highest Pakistani population worldwide among the Western countries, is it a worthwhile option to host the PSL in the UK for a season? The advantage could be getting good jampacked crowds in the UK stadiums given how passionate UK Pakistani's are about Pakistani Cricket. This will give a good opportunity for the PCB to promote the PSL in the UK and see if this could invite Franchise interest or Broadcast, Sponsorship interest among UK broadcasters, businessmen, firms.

The problem with this suggestion is when can you host it given that the ECB will have their county season, natwest t20 league, odi championships and the hundred tournament going on?

Similarly can the PCB explore this opportunity in the US, Canada as well for the reasons mentioned above?

Najam Sethi apparently told the government that the PCB gets offers from foreign countries to host the PSL abroad and here the Pakistani govt rather than create an enabling environment were further creating additional problems, constraints by trying to burden the PCB, Franchises with security costs.
Click to expand...

Absolutely not. Why?

Because PCB have been through this process before. I’m remember Pakistan playing their ‘home’ test series against Australia in the UK, in the summer of spot fixing gate, when Salman Butt took over as captain. Matches were held in London and Leeds, given the big Pakistani Diaspora in both cities. Both test matches were played before half empty grounds. And remember, this despite the British Asian fan being more receptive to test match cricket than, say desi folk from Pakistan.

Given the disappointing ticket sales there, it’s suboptimal to do the same process with the PSL in England.

Also, a more recent example is PSL games in Dubai. Again, there is a massive Pakistani presence in Dubai but PSL matches barely ever sold out.

I get that there is massive hassle to play the PSL in Pakistan. However, just listen to those crowds in Lahore and Multan (Karachi being the exception). That’s why these players play the game, as opposed to playing in front of empty stadia.

For me, the PSLs that have happened in Pakistan, are just different gravy and long may it continue.
 
Saj has proposed some PSL games to be played in UK - I reckon would be packed houses.
 
With my rose tinted UK glasses, I think it’s brilliant if they play some games here.

But PSL has just started hosting games at home, I think they should establish that as their base and look to attract fans at home etc that should be the priority.

Down the line if they want to host some games elsewhere that’s always an option and am sure their net gain would be much higher in the UK, but this is why they need to learn how to maximise their returns at hoke first despite some huge issues
 
MenInG said:
Saj has proposed some PSL games to be played in UK - I reckon would be packed houses.
Click to expand...

You’d have to do a concurrent schedule, with say 5 games played in the UK. It would also have to be deals directly with counties. You could play a game each at Old Trafford, Edgbaston, the Oval, Headingley and Lords. However, there is an issue with when to do it. Could you play cricket in the North in February? I don’t know man.
 
I dont think there is as much of an interest in PSL games in the UK as people imagine.

Pakistan matches have interest as it gives us a chance to wave flags and display our Pakistani roots. Its a carnival atmosphere similar to a mela and for most people its a chance to display some patriotism.

I don't think the PSL will get the same reception amongst the fans here. There is no real reason to support any of the fake city teams and the die hard cricket fans have access to cricket through the england matches, the 100 and the blast.

I think the USA could be a good shout. The desis are deprived of good quality cricket and would probably show up in numbers. It could be played just before the T20 world cup and that may attract an international audience curious to see what American cricket infrastructure looks like. I have a hunch that cricket starved Indian fans could also attend these games.
 
No. First please increase psl teams from 6 -> 8/10

6 is too less when you have semis/ eliminators, only 2 teams miss out from play offs after playing a full season!!
 
Not a bad shout tbh

Problem with UK you are restricted to games from May till Aug.

This is peak time for county teams so the chances of getting Lords, Edgebaston or even Manchester grounds is slim.

Only solution would be to trial some some exhibition games from the top 2 teams first.
 
AamchiMumbaikar said:
No. First please increase psl teams from 6 -> 8/10

6 is too less when you have semis/ eliminators, only 2 teams miss out from play offs after playing a full season!!
Click to expand...

Najam Sethi wants to add 2 more teams from next season as he claims there is a lot of demand for new teams. But the existing PSL Franchises are resisting because they dont want the Central Pool to be divided further. Sethi's argument for the additional team is that it will add to the commercial aspect of the league
 
Savak said:
Najam Sethi wants to add 2 more teams from next season as he claims there is a lot of demand for new teams. But the existing PSL Franchises are resisting because they dont want the Central Pool to be divided further. Sethi's argument for the additional team is that it will add to the commercial aspect of the league
Click to expand...

Previously I’ve always wanted more than 6 teams. However, looking at the depth of the current squads, is there enough local talent to support a 7th team? (Never mind an 8th one)
 
You have to think big and its a wonderful idea to take PSL overseas as there is a lot of support for that in UAE, UK and USA but you have to be realistic , time is not right now .

I have to be opptimistic , hope in 3-4 years when IK would have talen Pakistan to some finacial stability and PSL would be run be some professional people , not politicians like Sethi , this can be done .
 
I think getting visas will also be a problem for some of the players if playing in the USA.
 
Not USA. UK or Qatar for sure. I think it's a great idea to do 2 or 3 games. They can't afford to do just 1 game as NFL does.
 
It's a thing of fantasy or Lalaland who will pay sterling's to watch a pout belly Pak domestic cricketer or a 3rd gig Aussie trying his luck in PSL
 
The biggest factor is money.

If providing presidential level security to foreign players results in net loss to PCB then they need to redo the math and see if it's financially beneficial to start playing a couple of PSL games in USA, Canada and UK. Why not? I am not opposed to this idea.

I do see that it will be a lot tougher to get the grounds availability in UK due to their own packed schedule but perhaps they can try to play a game or two.

In United States, there is a HUGE cricket set up in cities like Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami. The grounds are beautiful and mostly available.
The amount of cricket played in United States is perhaps more than a couple test playing nations, and we can definitely play PSL here.

I watched a few exhibition cricket games in NY where stars of the past played, and the grounds were packed.
 
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