Amid India-Pakistan Terror Attacks, PSL’s Future Hangs Low
Shaken by a series of Indian military strikes, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has called for an emergency meeting to assess whether the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) should continue. The T20 tournament, which features six franchises and has entered its concluding phase, is currently being held in Rawalpindi, with the final scheduled for May 18 in Lahore.
According to a trusted source within the PCB, the board will act in accordance with government guidance on whether to proceed with the league. Discussions on the matter are expected to take place later on Thursday. PSL CEO Salman Naseer has already met with the foreign players stationed in Rawalpindi, reassuring them of their safety. He emphasized that the PCB is closely monitoring the unfolding situation. Prominent international players participating in this year’s edition include David Warner (Karachi Kings), Jason Holder and Rassie van der Dussen (both with Islamabad United). “It’s natural for players to be concerned given the current tensions, but they are under extensive security provided by the Pakistan Army,” said PCB spokesperson Amir Mir. “While there have been military strikes on both sides, we don’t anticipate any immediate impact on the PSL. However, if the conflict intensifies, we will reassess and determine the appropriate course of action,” he added. India’s actions follow a terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, South Kashmir, where 26 people—mostly tourists—were killed. In response, India carried out targeted missile strikes on nine sites in Pakistan, aiming to dismantle terror networks. On Thursday, Indian officials reported thwarting Pakistani attempts to strike military targets across Northern and Western India using drones and missiles, and confirmed the destruction of a Pakistani air defence installation in Lahore. From a financial standpoint, the PSL has also faced challenges. Audit reports reveal that since the league’s fifth season, the PCB has incurred losses due to revised profit-sharing arrangements. Franchises’ share in media rights increased to 80%, leaving only 20% for the cricket board. Similarly, sponsorship rights were divided with 40% going to franchises and 60% to the board, while ticket sales saw 90% going to franchises and only 10% to the PCB. This resulted in a missed potential revenue of 810 million Pakistani rupees (INR 24.26 Crores approx., 1 INR is equivalent to roughly PKR 3.30). During the Covid-19 pandemic, the losses had escalated even more, during the sixth and seventh seasons of Pakistan’s domestic T20 league. Increased expenses related to travel, accommodation, match fees and medical costs amounted to 178 million Pakistani rupees.
Ever since Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 by the Indian armed forces, as a response to the Pahalgam Terror attacks carried out by terrorist groups LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed, based out of Pakistan on April 22, which saw the death of 26 innocent civilians, PSL’s future hangs even more loosely. As per the latest information available, an alleged drone attack on Rawalpindi cricket stadium has caused infrastructural loss as well, creating further economic dent on PCB’s already diminishing treasury bank. In times ahead, the losses are only expected to rise up further, with Pakistan Cricket Board’s economic collections seeing no daylight, as the mounting expenditure on infrastructural redevelopment, advertisement and marketing, logistical arrangements in the wake of an ongoing national crisis is bound to damper it even more. What they must focus on is to revise the monetary terms made with the investors, team owners and sponsors – in order to save their steep decline in the available funds and seek some advice and suggestions from other popular boards – ECB (England Cricket Board), BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and Australian Cricket Board.
With the PSL (Pakistan Super League) now being moved to a new venue Dubai, due to the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the safety of all players has become paramount. The PCB has decided to make all necessary arrangements at the new location to ensure a smooth conduct of the remainder of the league, which will definitely incur higher costs on the already grim situation. It is imperative that the board seeks out some strong solutions and works towards monetizing their operational expenses going forward.
