Will crowds turn up for PSL X with the Pakistan team playing so poorly?

[Asad T]

Given how poorly the Pakistan team has played over the past year, it’s fair to wonder whether fans will still turn out in large numbers for PSL X — or has the national team’s form dampened the nation’s enthusiasm for cricket?

Crowds were around 60% full during the Champions Trophy, but I expect the turnout to be better for the PSL. It’s T20 and more importantly, it's a tournament where Pakistan can’t technically lose.

Karachi, however, will likely continue to struggle with attendance. Fortunately, only five matches are scheduled there this year, down from 11 last season. Karachi also hosted the semi-finals and final last year, but this time, Lahore will host the knockout stage. Clearly, the PCB has taken note (something I am shocked by)

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Rawalpindi hasn't disappointed so far. The crowd in PSL X opener in Rawalpindi. IU vs LQ

 

[BouncerGuy]

Babar fever still high.

 

[Hikaru]

I think PSL teams should invest heavily on fan merch and kits. Everyone wearing salwar kameez doesn't feel like fans passionate about their team.

 

[Asad T]

I think PSL teams should invest heavily on fan merch and kits. Everyone wearing salwar kameez doesn't feel like fans passionate about their team.

or at least a jersy-shalwar hybrid, like this hah

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I think PSL teams should invest heavily on fan merch and kits. Everyone wearing salwar kameez doesn't feel like fans passionate about their team.

Some of us have been saying this for a number of seasons now but neither the PCB nor the franchises seem to be smart enough. The kits are only available online and too expensive for average people to afford.

No merch being sold at stadiums either which is such a missed opportunity.

 

[hassan918]

Disappointing crowd at National Stadium, Karachi when their home team is playing.

 

[SportsWarrior]

PSL organizers should seriously consider making entry free, atleast for league games. Otherwise the empty stadiums makes the whole tournament lifeless and cheap.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Some of us have been saying this for a number of seasons now but neither the PCB nor the franchises seem to be smart enough. The kits are only available online and too expensive for average people to afford.

No merch being sold at stadiums either which is such a missed opportunity.

In Bharat you can get cheap replica of the jerseys outside stadiums for like a few hundred bucks. Most of the people wear them.

 

[Asad T]

Where art thou Karachi

 

[Bhaijaan]

Where art thou Karachi

Where art thou Karachi

Not much crowd coming from androoni mulq brother

 

[The_KING]

Karachi as per usual with a disappointing crowd. It is about damn time that Karachi stop hosting games.

 

[Savak]

This is a failure of the Karachi Kings Franchise as well, it is their responsibility to bring their fans to the ground

 

[Barragan]

This is a failure of the Karachi Kings Franchise as well, it is their responsibility to bring their fans to the ground

Even during the champions trophy and Pakistan games they don't turn up

It's probably with Karachi in general

They should not get any games - period!

 

[Savak]

Even during the champions trophy and Pakistan games they don't turn up

It's probably with Karachi in general

They should not get any games - period!

I agree. But in this T20 tournament, this is mainly Karachi Kings, ARYs and Salman Iqbals failure and responsibility as well

 

[alizaki]

I tried to go to a Karachi game at the National Stadium in ~2018. Abysmal experience from the minute you got near the stadium. No one is going to attend these games till the city / franchise work together to improve that experience.

 

[Savak]

There should be a world class cricket stadium in DHA, maybe close to Seaview in Karachi

 

[Mockingbird]

Man, I am looking at IPL & PSL matches side by side and honestly, it’s such a bad look for PSL. Look at the vibrancy at IPL -jam packed stadium, team merch everywhere, dedicated fan following and look at the abysmal atmosphere of the PSL match. Looks so bad!

 

[rpant_gabba]

This is a failure of the Karachi Kings Franchise as well, it is their responsibility to bring their fans to the ground

Who in their right mind will pay money to watch current Pak players? even more so given the economic challenges in pakistan.

Those can afford will probably get more bang for the buck at a theater or drama or a concert

 

[UP]

The Karachi stadium feels like a prison. Time to demolish it and build a new state of the art one.

No wonder nobody shows up to sit in a jail.

 

[Savak]

Who in their right mind will pay money to watch current Pak players? even more so given the economic challenges in pakistan.

Those can afford will probably get more bang for the buck at a theater or drama or a concert

Crowds still turn up in Lahore, Multan, Rawal Pindi. The economic conditions of the country and the lack of quality in Pakistani players is not an excuse. This is a failure of the Karachi Kings Franchise to pull the fans to the stadium, this is primarily their responsibility to make their franchise a brand

 

[Da_Future_Knick]

Will never understand why these PSL franchises don't partner with schools/colleges.

Allow them to attend the game for free or at a discounted price to enhance your overall fan support.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Is that you @Rana

https://twitter.com/x/status/1911110700480544887

 

[Savak]

Will never understand why these PSL franchises don't partner with schools/colleges.

Allow them to attend the game for free or at a discounted price to enhance your overall fan support.

This is your premier tournament, allowing people to enter for free devalues it. Discounted rates can be permitted for kids. Ultimately it is the responsibility of the franchises to explore these partnerships and to drive fan engagements. For eg a registered member of the Karachi Kings Franchise should get a discounted rate in comparison to the market rate.

 

[Da_Future_Knick]

This is your premier tournament, allowing people to enter for free devalues it. Discounted rates can be permitted for kids. Ultimately it is the responsibility of the franchises to explore these partnerships and to drive fan engagements. For eg a registered member of the Karachi Kings Franchise should get a discounted rate in comparison to the market rate.

That's fine but what's worse? Would you rather have empty stadiums in Karachi for the past 10 seasons or atleast have the stadium filled up with young people.

It's a no brainer.

Especially with this being your "premier tournament", empty stadiums are much much worse.

 

[Monday Morning]

Free entry is a bad idea. That'll incentivise crowds in Lahore and Pindi to stay away in the hopes of getting free entry eventually.

 

[Kroll]

I suppose one way to look at it, the national team can't lose here so may as well come and enjoy any fleeting entertainment on offer.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Free entry is a bad idea. That'll incentivise crowds in Lahore and Pindi to stay away in the hopes of getting free entry eventually.

Yes not fair to fans in other cities. Besides this is supposed to be Pakistan's premiere T20 competition. Rather than doing something so counter-productive they should focus on better marketing and improving the fan experience. From what I've been told getting into NSK is a pain which is a big reason behind poor turnouts

They should definitely consider building another stadium in Karachi aswell. In a better location.

 

[Savak]

Yes not fair to fans in other cities. Besides this is supposed to be Pakistan's premiere T20 competition. Rather than doing something so counter-productive they should focus on better marketing and improving the fan experience. From what I've been told getting into NSK is a pain which is a big reason behind poor turnouts

Which is why all the stakeholders should think of building a new stadium in Defence, Seaview area of Karachi where it will not be that big of a hassle to get into the stadium in comparison.

There are good stadiums in DHA, Nazimabad as well where they have these Ramzan tournaments. They will put up better crowds vs what we are seeing in National Stadium.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Which is why all the stakeholders should think of building a new stadium in Defence, Seaview area of Karachi where it will not be that big of a hassle to get into the stadium in comparison.

There are good stadiums in DHA, Nazimabad as well where they have these Ramzan tournaments. They will put up better crowds vs what we are seeing in National Stadium.

I agree. Even if its a smaller stadium it will look much better when its full. As someone who has been to Karachi, I can somewhat understand why fans don't want to go to NSK. It is located in a high-traffic area in the heart of the city and I imagine they close a number of roads nearby which likely makes getting in a painful experience.

GSL is also located in Gulberg. But the general infrastructure and roads in Lahore are a million times better than Karachi.

 

[Usman Chadda]

It’s complete hell getting into NSK. Only the most ardent fans would want to experience the ordeal.

Karachi is not getting big crowds until this is handled by the PCB.

 

[Savak]

A sports reporter did a video showing the process of getting into the stadium, the whole process of driving from your home, being stuck in unforgiving traffic because of the road blocks due to security, the checks, the restrictions, the fact you have to park your car so far from the stadium in unsafe areas, if you have to arrive in the stadium to attend a game starting in the evening at 7, you should be out of your house by 2-3.

If the stadium was in defence or seaview, you would not be facing this problem, the population in Defence alone will fill up the stadium.

 

[Local.Dada]

or at least a jersy-shalwar hybrid, like this hah

That’s a cool idea to be honest

 

[Savak]

Why does the PCB explore hosting PSL games in Karachi at the following venues

Cricket Stadium & Academy – Naya Nazimabad

nayanazimabad.com

https://www.dhakarachi.org/clubs/sports-club/facilities/

All the PCB and Karachi Kings need to do is to create a temporary arrangement for spectators, foreign broadcasters but atleast the games will be jampacked.

Even Mumbai has 3-4 different stadiums in the same city.

You can have a cricket stadium in Seaview to show the sea on the side

 

[Local.Dada]

Some of us have been saying this for a number of seasons now but neither the PCB nor the franchises seem to be smart enough. The kits are only available online and too expensive for average people to afford.

No merch being sold at stadiums either which is such a missed opportunity.

It’s a demand and supply business. Also clothing and those merchandise type stuff especially in subcontinent you can easily get it on some street corner for 1/10th of the price of the official merchandising.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

It’s a demand and supply business. Also clothing and those merchandise type stuff especially in subcontinent you can easily get it on some street corner for 1/10th of the price of the official merchandising.

Maybe in India, but not in Pakistan. Here, sports jerseys are only available at sports shops or online.

Also, selling merch at an event is just common sense. Not everyone has the time, energy, or even access to shop online or visit a store beforehand. Having it available at the venue is convenient, creates a sense of occasion, and can even drive impulse buys—especially when fans are already in the spirit of the event.

 

[Local.Dada]

Maybe in India, but not in Pakistan. Here, sports jerseys are only available at sports shops or online.

Do you live in Pakistan? Unless you live in some posh gated communities, I have seen the basic streets of Pakistan cities, they don’t look any bit different from interiors of India with the same type of hawkers etc. what world do you live in? Pakistan is infamous for bootlegging. Pretty much most piracy , knock offs happens in Karachi and Mumbai. I have seen street guys wear Tommy Hilfiger etc in Pakistan also
, don’t tell me the average bum on the street wears branded clothes in Pakistan.

Also if you understand basic business, you need an inventory and investment for the inventory. People who run this scale of a business wouldn’t miss out on any side change. So, don’t think just because some overseas guy wants to buy merchandise; they will manufacture for a handful.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Do you live in Pakistan? Unless you live in some posh gated communities, I have seen the basic streets of Pakistan cities, they don’t look any bit different from interiors of India with the same type of hawkers etc. what world do you live in? Pakistan is infamous for bootlegging. Pretty much most piracy , knock offs happens in Karachi and Mumbai. I have seen street guys wear Tommy Hilfiger etc in Pakistan also
, don’t tell me the average bum on the street wears branded clothes in Pakistan.

Also if you understand basic business, you need an inventory and investment for the inventory. People who run this scale of a business wouldn’t miss out on any side change. So, don’t think just because some overseas guy wants to buy merchandise; they will manufacture for a handful.

I do and considering that you don't I don't really understand what gives you the gall to talk like all of South Asia is the same. I am talking about bootleg jerseys. They are generally only available in sports shops here. It's very rare to go to a street-side in Karachi or Lahore and find numerous people selling cricket team jerseys. People are not as crazy about cricket here as they are in India. You can buy street food, fruit, vegetables, clothes, socks, hats, motorcycle helmets but cricket team jerseys are not something that you find someone just selling on the street that often.

Wow. Seems like you don't understand much about marketing or what constitutes as a 'target audience.' Some deluded opinions here but I am not going to bother to teach you marketing or business. Maybe go enroll in an course online.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Do you live in Pakistan? Unless you live in some posh gated communities, I have seen the basic streets of Pakistan cities, they don’t look any bit different from interiors of India with the same type of hawkers etc. what world do you live in? Pakistan is infamous for bootlegging. Pretty much most piracy , knock offs happens in Karachi and Mumbai. I have seen street guys wear Tommy Hilfiger etc in Pakistan also
, don’t tell me the average bum on the street wears branded clothes in Pakistan.

Also if you understand basic business, you need an inventory and investment for the inventory. People who run this scale of a business wouldn’t miss out on any side change. So, don’t think just because some overseas guy wants to buy merchandise; they will manufacture for a handful.

There’s a reason why baseball teams sell merch at stadiums, why bands sell their gear at concert venues, and why football clubs set up merchandise stalls at matchday arenas—because that’s when people are most emotionally invested and ready to buy. It’s basic marketing psychology. People want to be a part of the experience.

Just because South Asia is backward when it comes to marketing and sales, doesn’t mean it should continue to be.

 

[Sarmad]

I think PSL teams should invest heavily on fan merch and kits. Everyone wearing salwar kameez doesn't feel like fans passionate about their team.

It's not like this friend. Many people in pakistan play cricket in shalwar kameez

 

[Barragan]

I agree. But in this T20 tournament, this is mainly Karachi Kings, ARYs and Salman Iqbals failure and responsibility as well

No matter what the Karachi people never turn up

The only solution is to not give any games to Karachi - simple

 

[Devadwal]

Security personnel at the Karachi stadiums>>> Cricket fan's

 

[nuttyprof]

Crowds still turn up in Lahore, Multan, Rawal Pindi. The economic conditions of the country and the lack of quality in Pakistani players is not an excuse. This is a failure of the Karachi Kings Franchise to pull the fans to the stadium, this is primarily their responsibility to make their franchise a brand

Difficult to imagine turning up for the stale looking PSL. The experience in Indian stadiums(esp newer stadiums) is amazing. The players are jaded, no oomph!! I used to find BBL jaded when it came to players, but PSL beats it

 

[BouncerGuy]

Karachi has one of the worst crowds. PCB should not host any more PSL games there... Crowd has been pathetic.

 

[shah_1]

No one cares about PCT

 

[jnaveen1980]

+

Karachi has one of the worst crowds. PCB should not host any more PSL games there... Crowd has been pathetic.

Karachi stadium has been around since 1950s. Why sudden dip in crowd? I have seen packed Karachi stadium before for tests.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

+

Karachi stadium has been around since 1950s. Why sudden dip in crowd? I have seen packed Karachi stadium before for tests.

Because security has really been beefed up since the late-2000s, and especially since cricket returned to Pakistan. This means multiple road closures, traffic jams, entry from limited places.

 

[hassan918]

+

Karachi stadium has been around since 1950s. Why sudden dip in crowd? I have seen packed Karachi stadium before for tests.

After yesterday's impressive win for Karachi, we should see bigger crowds at the National Stadium in upcoming matches.

 

[Barragan]

After yesterday's impressive win for Karachi, we should see bigger crowds at the National Stadium in upcoming matches.

Get ready to be disappointed

 

[Savak]

Crowds are low today in Pindi. Plenty of empty stands

 

[Devadwal]

Crowds are low today in Pindi. Plenty of empty stands

From X

 

[Savak]

PCB tries to keep the PSL advertising and promotion budget to a bare minimum as a cost cutting excercise

 

[Mockingbird]

From X

View attachment 153280

Yikes!

 

[SportsWarrior]

PCB tries to keep the PSL advertising and promotion budget to a bare minimum as a cost cutting excercise

I don't understand what is there to advertise for Psl. It is already brand right. People know about it. They kmow about the schedule. So what else is there to be advertised? Sure some ad will help in hyping it up a bit, but after a decade it should be already well established brand with secured fan base. Pakistanis don't turn up to these matches may be because they don't think they are getting value out of it. Or may be people don't have enough discretionary spending budget.

 

[wrongun]

I don't understand what is there to advertise for Psl. It is already brand right. People know about it. They kmow about the schedule. So what else is there to be advertised? Sure some ad will help in hyping it up a bit, but after a decade it should be already well established brand with secured fan base. Pakistanis don't turn up to these matches may be because they don't think they are getting value out of it. Or may be people don't have enough discretionary spending budget.

Do you have any idea how advertising works? You push something in front of peoples faces often enough then they start to want it and they buy it. Even if they wren't going to buy it before... People know tuna, sneaker and car brands exist. Yet these companies spend tens of millions on advertising and marketing?

Because all their executives are idiots and PSL executives are smarter? Or because advertising works? Choose one.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Found this on the social media somewhere today

 

[SportsWarrior]

Do you have any idea how advertising works? You push something in front of peoples faces often enough then they start to want it and they buy it. Even if they wren't going to buy it before... People know tuna, sneaker and car brands exist. Yet these companies spend tens of millions on advertising and marketing?

Because all their executives are idiots and PSL executives are smarter? Or because advertising works? Choose one.

Yes I do know how advertising works, mostly because I have a career in that. Your examples doesn't hold water. Tuna or any FMCG product has to differentiate themselves as all of them just compete mostly on price. Sneaker and cars again has to compete with other brands. What is PSL competing against? What other cricket tournament happening in Pakistan? What other major entertainment options exists in this window which doesn't exist otherwise?

PSL has a captive audience which they can exploit like IPL does in Indian market form 8 weeks. It is an established brand with known product with absolutely no competition. It is just that PSL as a product is subpar and Pakistanis don't see much value in that or market is too poor to afford it

 

[SportsWarrior]

Found this on the social media somewhere today

Yes, Karachi has always been poor in filling stadiums. I attended a match there couple of decades back and couldnt hardly see anyone.

 

[Master Blaster]

Most of them are watching IPL at home. Wait for IPL to finish and then see how the stadiums are flooded with fans.

 

[Kianig89]

Too much hassle for going to stadium ,roads are blocked due to teams travelling from hotels then parking is 2-3 km away all in all ,its 3½ hrs cricket game being turned into a taxiing 8 hrs drill for stadium experience

 

[Bhaijaan]

I now feel maybe holding the PSL the same time as IPL wasn’t a great idea. Right now honestly it is giving a feeling that down there at the IPL, you got the best of the best players playing and all the rejects are playing PSL. Not trolling but that’s the feeling i am getting and maybe others too have been feeling the same.

PSL needs some big names to attract the balls and getting them wouldn’t be easy when you’re competing directly with IPL. You need a Travis Head, Klassen, Pooran, Rabada, etc setting the stage on fire. People need to feel something special is happening out there and the best players in the world are out there. If they’re getting a feeling it’s a rejects league they won’t feel much interested honestly.

 

[Kianig89]

I now feel maybe holding the PSL the same time as IPL wasn’t a great idea. Right now honestly it is giving a feeling that down there at the IPL, you got the best of the best players playing and all the rejects are playing PSL. Not trolling but that’s the feeling i am getting and maybe others too have been feeling the same.

PSL needs some big names to attract the balls and getting them wouldn’t be easy when you’re competing directly with IPL. You need a Travis Head, Klassen, Pooran, Rabada, etc setting the stage on fire. People need to feel something special is happening out there and the best players in the world are out there. If they’re getting a feeling it’s a rejects league they won’t feel much interested honestly.

Exactly PSL dishing out same katchra every year , Jordan Rossouw Weise Joseph etc are past their sell date.

Make some efforts to sign A- category players , may be another category for a player with uncapped $$$ to play X no. Of games, this is what Tareen is planning for but the stubborn of PCB is keeping its eyes closed.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Exactly PSL dishing out same katchra every year , Jordan Rossouw Weise Joseph etc are past their sell date.

Make some efforts to sign A- category players , may be another category for a player with uncapped $$$ to play X no. Of games, this is what Tareen is planning for but the stubborn of PCB is keeping its eyes closed.

There are some very good foreign players in PSL. But not the absolute current superstars like a Travis Head, Klassen.

 

[Pakpak]

Too much hassle for going to stadium ,roads are blocked due to teams travelling from hotels then parking is 2-3 km away all in all ,its 3½ hrs cricket game being turned into a taxiing 8 hrs drill for stadium experience

I don't understand this logic.

I am a football going fan in the UK. And while I get that we don't have security like Pakistani does, we regularly have to walk 1-1.5 miles, sometimes 2 miles from parking our car to the ground, this is for every game. If the game is eg in another city 30 miles away I have to leave 4 hours in advance due to traffic and ensuring the best parking spots so we enough time to get there.

That too for a game with a much LESS time than cricket. There is only so many times people can use the 'oh its 2km away' 'oh we have to leave early'. Are the people this lazy they can't walk a simple 2km?

 

[Bhaijaan]

There are some very good foreign players in PSL. But not the absolute current superstars like a Travis Head, Klassen.

The problem is , the lack of a Travis Head is making some really good foreign players look like rejects in the eyes of everyone. That’s the problem of perception that the PSL might be facing right now. All you need is to add 2-3 top names in there and the rest of the guys will all start looking good. I mean that’s what IPL is doing too isn’t it ? There are some pretty mediocre players in IPL but it attracts the eye balls because of the superstars.

 

[Pakpak]

Exactly PSL dishing out same katchra every year , Jordan Rossouw Weise Joseph etc are past their sell date.

Make some efforts to sign A- category players , may be another category for a player with uncapped $$$ to play X no. Of games, this is what Tareen is planning for but the stubborn of PCB is keeping its eyes closed.

Totally agree.

You have to realise the PSL is a microcosm of the country - where nepotism, corruption and give-and-take favours run everything. From business to education to getting jobs to getting justice. So it is only fair the league will reflect this. Where, uptil last year, coaches like Aqib were kept out of friendship, where for Pakistani coaches there is no accountability as long as they're the owners friends, where long past it frauds like Malik are still playing (real age now 45 atleast), where there is no knowledge of proper business making decisions, no proper advertising planning, no concept of dedicated merchandise, no concept of getting dedicated followers for each team, no concept of even making fan following groups for each team (eg get 200 people like chacha cricket for each team, pay them if you have to).

Then you realise all the teams are owned or heavily backed by the same media corporations who make their buck by corrupt government handouts, by getting jobs due to favours, by sacking anyone who disagrees with them then it all makes sense why this league is now proving to be a total dud.

If us Pakistanis are having this many doubts then imaging marketing this 'product' to the outside world.

 

[Savak]

I now feel maybe holding the PSL the same time as IPL wasn’t a great idea. Right now honestly it is giving a feeling that down there at the IPL, you got the best of the best players playing and all the rejects are playing PSL. Not trolling but that’s the feeling i am getting and maybe others too have been feeling the same.

PSL needs some big names to attract the balls and getting them wouldn’t be easy when you’re competing directly with IPL. You need a Travis Head, Klassen, Pooran, Rabada, etc setting the stage on fire. People need to feel something special is happening out there and the best players in the world are out there. If they’re getting a feeling it’s a rejects league they won’t feel much interested honestly.

PSL can no longer compete in their regular window of February March because of the advent of ILT20, SAT20, Big Bash, BPL and the fact that the South African players are stuck in their domestic season and international players are stuck with international commitments or they prefer to rest for the IPL.

PSL has gotten the best possible of foreign players this time even if they are IPL rejects because they are hosting the event in the IPL window and the players don't have international commitments

The PCB can explore changing their window to October November but they will have to revamp their FTP. Will international players come to the PSL in that time slot?

 

[SportsWarrior]

I now feel maybe holding the PSL the same time as IPL wasn’t a great idea. Right now honestly it is giving a feeling that down there at the IPL, you got the best of the best players playing and all the rejects are playing PSL. Not trolling but that’s the feeling i am getting and maybe others too have been feeling the same.

PSL needs some big names to attract the balls and getting them wouldn’t be easy when you’re competing directly with IPL. You need a Travis Head, Klassen, Pooran, Rabada, etc setting the stage on fire. People need to feel something special is happening out there and the best players in the world are out there. If they’re getting a feeling it’s a rejects league they won’t feel much interested honestly.

Exactly how it feels. It feels liek a me too poor cousin. Whether we like or not everyone will compare IPL and PSL and troll PSL. This is not required as PSL can stand on its own as it has no competition locally if it scheduled when it is convenient for Pak audience

 

[SportsWarrior]

PSL can no longer compete in their regular window of February March because of the advent of ILT20, SAT20, Big Bash, BPL and the fact that the South African players are stuck in their domestic season and international players are stuck with international commitments or they prefer to rest for the IPL.

PSL has gotten the best possible of foreign players this time even if they are IPL rejects because they are hosting the event in the IPL window and the players don't have international commitments

The PCB can explore changing their window to October November but they will have to revamp their FTP. Will international players come to the PSL in that time slot?

Oct/Nov is good window and can get decent Aus/SA/NZ players especially if they are not touring India. They also can get some white ball players from England

 

[Bewal Express]

Exactly how it feels. It feels liek a me too poor cousin. Whether we like or not everyone will compare IPL and PSL and troll PSL. This is not required as PSL can stand on its own as it has no competition locally if it scheduled when it is convenient for Pak audience

The IPL is for Ind audiences and PSL for PK audiences. Neither has any international following and never will, so what's the issue

 

[Bewal Express]

Exactly how it feels. It feels liek a me too poor cousin. Whether we like or not everyone will compare IPL and PSL and troll PSL. This is not required as PSL can stand on its own as it has no competition locally if it scheduled when it is convenient for Pak audience

The pace standard of the local seamers of IPL is very poor. So to make out that we are watching out of the World quality is just plain rubbish. The local pacers are definitely on par with local Ind pacers

 

[Mockingbird]

The pace standard of the local seamers of IPL is very poor. So to make out that we are watching out of the World quality is just plain rubbish. The local pacers are definitely on par with local Ind pacers

That is an worthless argument. Nobody is expressly spending time or $$ to watch local pacers play, you can see them in domestic cricket as well. You watch IPL for the superstars pitted against each other. Bumrah vs Head or Klassen or Boult/Starc/Hazlewood vs Kohli etc etc. That is what is lacking in PSL.

 

[Bewal Express]

That is an worthless argument. Nobody is expressly spending time or $$ to watch local pacers play, you can see them in domestic cricket as well. You watch IPL for the superstars pitted against each other. Bumrah vs Head or Klassen or Boult/Starc/Hazlewood vs Kohli etc etc. That is what is lacking in PSL.

It depends on whether you are cricket tournament or circus. If the local pacers are rubbish and they make either 1/2 of the attacked then the quality is poor.

 

[Bhaijaan]

PSL can no longer compete in their regular window of February March because of the advent of ILT20, SAT20, Big Bash, BPL and the fact that the South African players are stuck in their domestic season and international players are stuck with international commitments or they prefer to rest for the IPL.

PSL has gotten the best possible of foreign players this time even if they are IPL rejects because they are hosting the event in the IPL window and the players don't have international commitments

The PCB can explore changing their window to October November but they will have to revamp their FTP. Will international players come to the PSL in that time slot?

Going head to head with the IPL makes PSL brand look weaker than it actually is. If it was such a great idea why the other leagues didn’t copy it already?

I believe PSL is a very good league. Pakistanis have put in good efforts to make it big over the years. 10 season now but you’re in a situation now where an IPL match is happening simultaneously to a PSL match and an ordinary fan will not get over the fact that Travis Head, Klassen, Pooran who are the current blockbuster T20 batters are playing in the other league. At a different time you would have had one or two of these playing the PSL but since you chose to go 1 on 1 with the IPL that is very unlikely.

The Rejects league tag will hurt PSL’s brand image. You don’t want that.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Going back all the way to 2008, what made IPL an attraction was that after the era of Exhibition matches, Asia vs African and the ROW vs Aussies kind of matches, it was the first time people were getting to see world’s best cricketers pitted against each other and mixed up cross country wise in a league format. No other league before that ever had that many current superstars of cricket play a league like that. Not the ICL, not the World Series, nothing. Hayden vs Harbhajan. Symonds bs Steyn, Akhtar vs AB de Villiers, Dhoni vs Murali, Sachin bs Warne everyone came to see the matches for that. That’s what made IPL the best league in cricket and its legacy has continued. People want to see the best match ups possible.

 

[Aang_The_last_airbender]

Oct/Nov is good window and can get decent Aus/SA/NZ players especially if they are not touring India. They also can get some white ball players from England

Every team in the world is playing International cricket in Oct-Nov. It is one of the prime International cricketing windows.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

In a perfect world, there would be 8 teams in the PSL, every team would be playing home and away so you wouldn't have matches for 4-5 days straight in a single stadium. Security would be there but not to the extent that it begins suffocating you and hurting the fan experience. But alas, we do not live in a perfect world.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Loyal fanbaes is critical in success of a league.

 

[Savak]

Going head to head with the IPL makes PSL brand look weaker than it actually is. If it was such a great idea why the other leagues didn’t copy it already?

I believe PSL is a very good league. Pakistanis have put in good efforts to make it big over the years. 10 season now but you’re in a situation now where an IPL match is happening simultaneously to a PSL match and an ordinary fan will not get over the fact that Travis Head, Klassen, Pooran who are the current blockbuster T20 batters are playing in the other league. At a different time you would have had one or two of these playing the PSL but since you chose to go 1 on 1 with the IPL that is very unlikely.

The Rejects league tag will hurt PSL’s brand image. You don’t want that.

PCB will have to do a cost benefit analysis at the end ie whether losing foreign broadcasters in Fox Sports (Australia), Sky Sports (New Zealand), Flow Sports (Caribbean), Middle East is worth in comparison to the Foreign IPL rejects who come to the PSL.

 

[wrongun]

Yes I do know how advertising works, mostly because I have a career in that. Your examples doesn't hold water. Tuna or any FMCG product has to differentiate themselves as all of them just compete mostly on price. Sneaker and cars again has to compete with other brands. What is PSL competing against? What other cricket tournament happening in Pakistan? What other major entertainment options exists in this window which doesn't exist otherwise?

PSL has a captive audience which they can exploit like IPL does in Indian market form 8 weeks. It is an established brand with known product with absolutely no competition. It is just that PSL as a product is subpar and Pakistanis don't see much value in that or market is too poor to afford it

PSL is competing against every other entertainment option, both for live experiences and to view or consume. Sheer arrogance, head in the sand stuff to assume you are the only option, market poorly and then be confused why no one cares about your product.

PSL is not only against cricket. It is against all other sports and even other entertainment. If you're last sentence is about a "can't win, don't try" philosophy then you probably sum up a problem and shouldn't be part of a solution. I shudder for your career if you have such little confidence in what marketing is worth.