The 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League is set to start on Friday, April 11, in Rawalpindi, but PSL lacks the usual buzz that typically surrounds such an event. The opening match will feature defending champions Islamabad United against Lahore Qalandars at 8:30 pm PST at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
This season includes 34 matches from April 11 to May 18. Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will host 13 matches, including the two Eliminators and the final. Rawalpindi will host 11 matches, while Karachi and Multan will each host five.
Despite this being a big milestone for PSL, fan interest is notably low this time, mostly due to Pakistan’s poor performance in international cricket over the past one-and-a-half years. Junaid Ikram, a marketing associate from Karachi, said, “I have given up on Pakistan Cricket and am in no mood to spend even five rupees for the PSL matches which are commencing here (in Karachi) next week.”
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He added, “What is there to watch, you tell me. The recent disaster in New Zealand was, perhaps, the last straw. Can you imagine any team losing seven out of eight matches? We are worse than Zimbabwe, even Fiji Island.” Even the return of Saim Ayub didn’t impress him. “Saim is a terrific player, but even his presence will not be compelling enough for me to visit the National Stadium in Karachi.”
An Ongoing Disappointment
Shamim Nazish, a lecturer from Karachi, said, “The PSL is a farce and an attempt by the PCB to hoodwink the general public into believing that Pakistan Cricket is alive and kicking.” She added, “I have always supported Pakistan Cricket with all my enthusiasm… But enough is enough; I will not watch a single game now.”
Dr. Zaid Iqbal from Multan, once a big supporter of Multan Sultans, said, “I was so excited to see Multan Sultans beat all the other competitors… but not this time.” Speaking about the team captain, he said, “If the man (Rizwan) can’t get Pakistan to win, even in a home tournament like the Champions Trophy, his achievements in the matter zilch to me, really.”
In Lahore, Waheed Mirza and his sister Shireen are also planning to skip PSL 10. “We are not even inquiring about the PSL ticket rates, and the general response here in Lahore is very poor,” said Waheed.
His sister Shireen added, “All the teams in the world including Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and the West Indies have beaten our team in international matches, so what can motivate us to watch these poorly competitive PSL games?” She said, “My time and money is way too precious to be spent on PSL games.”
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