Is the currently ongoing PSL 9 proving to be a successful league? Let’s explore some of the positives and negatives related to PSL 2024.
Starting with the positives.
Positive Number 1: Thrilling Finishes: In PSL 8, we experienced thrilling finishes in only 29% of the matches. However, this PSL 9 season, nearly every other game has been a cliffhanger, going down to the very last ball, which marks a huge improvement. Particularly notable were the games leading up to the day break and the rain-interrupted day at Pindi Stadium. The PSL provided us with edge-of-the-seat excitement in almost every match, whether it was Peshawar Zalmi vs Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United, or Karachi Kings vs Quetta Gladiators. Each game kept us glued to our screens. This year, 7 out of 16 matches have ended in nail-biting finishes.
The beginning of the second leg has been somewhat slow, with an entire day’s play, including 2 matches at Pindi Cricket Stadium, being washed out by rain. And while Multan Sultans managed a convincing win over Karachi Kings in match 19, we’re expecting many more closely contested matches in the days ahead. Teams like Karachi Kings, Islamabad United, and Peshawar Zalmi are all vying hard for the 3rd and 4th spots. Furthermore, Lahore Qalandars could add to the excitement by disrupting the plans of many teams.
Positive Number 2: The Balance between Bat and Ball: Last year, the bowlers faced a tough time with an average economy rate of 9.20 runs per over, which was not just the highest in the PSL but also in T20 cricket history. However, this season has shown a significant improvement, presenting a fairer battle between bat and ball. So far, the average economy rate for bowlers has dropped to 8.7 in PSL 9.
It’s clear that pitch management has made it a priority to prepare surfaces that offer something for both batsmen and bowlers. That’s why we’ve seen some bowlers excel even on pitches that seem heavily in favor of the batsmen. Moreover, the curators in Pindi have been instructed to create moderate pitches that provide support for both the batting and bowling sides.
Positive Number 2: Emergence of Quality Spinners: Thanks to the combination of better pitches and effective talent hunt programs of the PSL teams, this year we’ve witnessed the emergence of several high-quality spinners. Remarkably, the current top wicket-taker of the tournament is a spinner, Usama Mir, who has claimed 15 wickets so far. Alongside him, we’ve seen promising Pakistani prospects come to the forefront. Among them is Abrar Ahmad, who has made it into the top 5 bowlers with 10 wickets. Additionally, spinners like Faisal Akram from Multan Sultans, Arif Yaqoob from Peshawar Zalmi, and Usman Tariq from Quetta Gladiators have made notable contributions, proving themselves as spinners worth watching.
Now let’s address the negatives.
Negative Number 1: Key Foreign Players Absence: It’s a fact that this year, the PSL is missing many big names for a variety of reasons. On the international front, there’s a packed schedule with several series happening at the same time, such as the Australia-New Zealand bilateral series, Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka T20 series, India vs England test series, and Australia vs West Indies series that was also taking place at the beginning of the PSL 9.
This busy international calendar has resulted in many well-known players deciding against participating in the PSL. Furthermore, the surge of T20 leagues around the world means players have plenty of options where they might benefit more financially than they would in the PSL. If the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) aims to elevate the PSL to a competitive brand on the international stage, they’ll need to take bold measures to address these issues. This way, they can attract more international stars to join the league.
Negative Number 2: Crowd’s Woes: Last year, PSL set several records for digital media viewership and filled stadiums with crowds breaking attendance records at every match. But this year, we haven’t seen the same level of excitement in the crowds. A big reason behind this drop is the country’s current political situation, combined with instability in the PCB management, where no chairman has managed to stay in position for a long stretch. This instability has led to various deficiencies in the organization of the league.
However, at the end of the first leg of PSL 9, Lahore and Multan nearly made up for it, showing us packed stadiums along with thrilling matches. But in the second leg, especially in Karachi, the first two matches witnessed a disappointing turnout. Poor management at the administrative level is a major culprit, as highlighted by Pakistan’s leading sports show ‘The Pavilion’. Legends like Wasim Akram, Mohammad Hafeez, Misbah Ul Haq, Azhar Ali, and host Fakhar Alam, while trying to attend the Quetta Gladiators vs Karachi Kings match in Karachi, couldn’t even make it to the ground due to terrible traffic management and had to turn back without watching the game.
Such organizational issues are deterring Karachi’s residents from attending matches. Therefore, it’s crucial for security agencies and management authorities to rethink their strategies to ensure fans can easily access stadiums. This would enable them to watch their heroes’ live performances and truly enjoy the spirit of the game.
Explore more PSL 9 insight and updates on the Howzdat Live Blog.
