KEY POINTS
- The PSL 10 faces off against the IPL for the first time
- PCB boosts PSL’s global appeal by attracting top international and local cricketers
- PCB is offering salaries ranging from $220,000 to $300,000 for Platinum category players
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 has shattered live viewership records, boasting a staggering 826.5% increase in domestic viewership compared to the same timeframe last year.
The league went head-to-head with the powerhouse Indian Premier League (IPL) for the first time—a scheduling clash most cricket boards steer clear of.
This year’s PSL was pushed to April due to Pakistan’s preparations for hosting the ICC Champions Trophy, launching it into a rare head-to-head clash with the IPL.
Undeterred, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) doubled down on star power, assembling a stellar mix of international icons and homegrown heroes to elevate the PSL’s allure and captivate audiences like never before.
Kicking off on April 11 and running through May 18, the PSL finds itself in direct competition with the IPL, which spans from March 23 to May 25. But rather than shy away, the PSL has stepped up its game in a big way.
This year, the league has taken a giant leap in its global appeal by offering lucrative paycheques to international stars.
Salaries in the prestigious Platinum category now range from a hefty $220,000 to a whopping $300,000—making it one of the most attractive destinations for elite T20 talent.
The season kicked off in spectacular fashion, with an opening ceremony that struck both patriotic and spiritual chords.
Children clad in white and green lit up the stage with a stirring rendition of Pakistan’s national anthem, as franchise owners stood proudly beside the gleaming HBL PSL trophy.
The mood then shifted into a soulful celebration of culture, as the legendary Abida Parveen cast a spell with her powerful Sufi vocals, while dancers brought the mystic energy to life through graceful traditional movements.
The inaugural clash took place at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, where Islamabad United cruised to victory over Lahore Qalandars with an eight-wicket triumph.
Since its beginning, many records have begun to tumble—and with the tournament charging ahead to its grand finale on May 18 at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium, more history is surely on the horizon.
