Key points
- PSL leads in average first-innings scores worldwide
- 5pc of PSL matches end in final over
- League praised for quality, thrill and big runs
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been named the world’s second most entertaining men’s franchise cricket tournament, according to a new report by BBC Sport.
The report, released earlier this week, analysed several major T20 and short-format franchise competitions around the world. These included the IPL, PSL, South Africa’s SA20, Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the UAE’s International League T20 (ILT20), and England’s The Hundred.
The study was conducted in collaboration with leading cricket analytics firm CricViz and assessed a variety of performance and entertainment-related metrics.
Factors considered in the evaluation included the average number of fours and sixes per match, batting strike rates, frequency of matches decided in the final over or ball, home advantage trends, wicket-taking patterns, and the average number of international caps in the playing XIs.
Ahead of IPL
Among the standout findings, the PSL led all leagues in average first-innings scores, posting 180 runs per match — narrowly ahead of the IPL’s 179. In terms of close finishes, 27.5 per cent of PSL matches were decided in the final over, second only to the IPL’s 28.9 per cent.
The PSL also ranked second for the number of boundaries per game, again following the IPL, while it came second in player quality, measured through international experience, with an average of 351 international caps per starting XI. The ILT20 topped that category with 423, largely due to its higher quota of overseas players.
Praising PSL
The BBC Sport report praised the PSL for offering “quality, thrill and big runs”, highlighting the league’s consistent production of high-scoring, competitive matches and its ability to attract top-tier international talent.
In the final “Entertainment Index” — a cumulative score based on all the assessed metrics — the IPL topped the chart with a score of 4.53 out of 5. The PSL followed with a strong 3.90, ahead of the ILT20 (2.44), The Hundred, CPL, and SA20. Australia’s BBL ranked lowest in the list.
Since its inception in 2016, the PSL has rapidly established itself as one of the premier franchise competitions on the cricket calendar. Featuring six city-based teams, the league is known for its thrilling matches, fast scoring rates, and its role in nurturing emerging Pakistani talent alongside some of the biggest stars in the game.
