PSL proved a huge hit witnessing remarkable TV figures

The inaugural edition of the Pakistan Super League has proved a tremendous success, even though all the matches were played in the United Arab Emirates due to security risks. The Pakistan Cricket Board received an overwhelming response from millions of cricket-starved fans. Islamabad United, led by Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq, defeated Quetta Gladiators by six wickets at a packed Dubai International Cricket Stadium late Tuesday to conclude a three-week PSL.

Since the first ever PSL T20 competition was announced last September, the country’s cricket board sold the five franchises for $US93 million ($A128 million) and attracted players from 11 countries. Convincing foreign players from other major cricket countries like Australia, England, New Zealand, West Indies and South Africa to tour Pakistan was almost impossible, so the PCB finally decided to host the PSL on a neutral venue.

Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, Shane Watson, Luke Wright and Andre Russell were among the 29 foreign players who signed up for the five franchises. Cricket greats Sir Viv Richards and Wasim Akram were associated as mentors for Gladiators and United respectively and played pivotal roles in guiding their teams to the final.

The biggest surprise, however, has been the response from Pakistan’s public. Since matches began in the UAE on February 4, national television viewing figures have been higher than those for the 2015 World Cup, with 55 per cent of Pakistan’s TV-watching public tuning into the tournament at peak times.

While figures aren’t entirely accurate, it was estimated in 2013 that around two-thirds of Pakistan’s 182 million people had access to cable television, which translates to around 65 million people tuning into PSL during peak periods. Fans gathered to watch the final on big screens placed in market places throughout major cities in a charged atmosphere previously only seen for Pakistan’s international matches. PCB will surely be delighted with these numbers.