Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman (PCB) Najam Sethi claimed that the digital media ratings of the eighth edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 have been higher than the Indian Premier League (IPL).
While Addressing a press conference on the final of the HBL PSL 8 at the Gaddafi Stadium, Sethi said the HBL PSL 8 achieved 150 rating points this year as compared with the 130 of the IPL 2022.
Also Read: My Anthem is much better than the official PSL Anthem: Chahat Fateh Ali Khan
He lauded cricket fans for the success of the 8th edition of the HBL PSL, acknowledging that the league could not succeed without the support of the die-hard fans. Najam Sethi said 80 percent footfall was recorded during the HBL PSL 8, adding that he was thankful to the spectators for turning up in large numbers to the stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, Multan, and Rawalpindi.
Najm Sethi said the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) has given many stars to Pakistan as well as world cricket over the past eight years.
Najam Sethi further added HBL PSL provided opportunities to many cricketers who could not get a chance in other leagues or their national outfits and these players emerged at stars.
About his Dubai tour for holding talks with AsiansCricket Council, Najam Sethi said that upcoming Asia Cup, ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, and ICC Men’s Champions Trophy matters will be discussed during the ACC and ICC meeting in Dubai, adding that all options will be discussed regarding the holding of the Asia Cup and ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan. He said the foreign security experts have expressed their satisfaction with the security situation in the country.
The Chairman PCB Management Committee said the success of the league has given him the self-belief that the PSL may be held in any part of the world, adding that some of the PSL fixtures may be held in the United States of America (USA) as we have been invited to do so.
On the standard of pitches, he said the standards of pitches during the HBL PSL 8 have proved beyond doubt that there was no need to invite foreign curators for the preparation of cricket pitches in Pakistan.
On the addition of more teams in the HBL PSL, he said he has taken up the idea of adding two more teams in the PSL 9 with the franchises, adding that the HBL PSL model will be reviewed after the 10th edition of the league. He said the PCB has been overseeing the affairs of the Pakistan Women League.
Sethi said cricket stadiums in Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi and Karachi will be renovated and expanded within the next six months.
