In Pakistan, domestic PSL league is a coming of age for the business of cricket

Multan Sultans' players celebrate after the dismissal of Karachi Kings' captain Babar Azam (L) during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Twenty20 cricket match between Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans at the National Cricket Stadium in Karachi on January 27, 2022. (AFP)
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Updated 27 February 2022
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In Pakistan, domestic PSL league is a coming of age for the business of cricket

  • Habib Bank reacquired the title sponsorship of the PSL tournament for a four-year cycle at a 55 percent jump from the last cycle
  • Highest bid for live streaming rights this edition was submitted by Daraz, a 175 percent increase from the last two years

ISLAMABAD: Since its launch in 2016, Pakistan’s domestic cricket league has lured top names in international cricket, catapulted new talent to global fame, cultivated a loyal base of millions of fans, drawn corporate sponsorships from multinational firms selling everything from cellphones to real estate and doled out salaries comparable to other international leagues to become what is, arguably, the biggest brand in Pakistan.

In getting here, the Pakistan Super League tournament has not only transformed the business of cricket in Pakistan, but the country itself, ending years of isolation after a 2009 attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore forced Pakistan to play home matches in the United Arab Emirates and led foreign players to refuse to play on Pakistani soil.

Last year, Pakistan’s biggest bank, Habib Bank Limited, reacquired the title sponsorship of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) flagship tournament for another four-year cycle (2022-2025).

PCB announced at the time that HBL had not only exceeded the reserve price in reacquiring the rights “but sealed it with a 55 percent jump from the last cycle, which speaks volumes of their belief in the PSL brand.”

Though the PCB did not announce the exact amount of the agreement, a PCB source said the bank signed the new deal for $22.2 million for four years. Previously, PCB had signed a three-year deal with HBL (2019-2021) for $14.5 million. The first deal, which was signed in 2016 when PSL was launched, was for $5.2 million (2016-2018).

The price to acquire the digital streaming rights for PSL, which features the fast and furious, made-for-tv brand of cricket called Twenty20, has also skyrocketed. The highest bid for this edition was submitted by Daraz and marked a 175 percent increase from the last two years.

PSL also signed a two-year broadcast deal worth $24 million with local sports channels A Sports and PTV Sports, a 50 percent increase from the last cycle.

The six-team league has also drawn record television and digital viewership over the years.

Over 80 million people, roughly 70 percent of Pakistan’s TV-viewing public, tuned in to watch the final game of the 2019 edition of PSL, the last one before coronavirus-related disruptions and postponements hit the series.

“This proves that the HBL PSL is a strong brand and its commercial partners see [financial] value in it,” Samiul Hasan Burney, a media and communications director at PCB, told Arab News, commenting on the increase in the sale price of the broadcasting and live streaming rights.

It was “the quality of cricket,” he said, that had made PSL the brand it was today.

“Any [cricket] brand rises because of the quality of cricket on display,” Burney said. “Credit goes to the PCB management, its delivery and the fact that it turned [PSL] into a brand that sponsors would want to associate themselves with.”

Burney declined to provide a figure when asked how much revenue PSL was estimated to generate for PCB this year.

“Revenue collection is done by taking into account the amount of money generated and the expenses and payments deducted from them,” he said, saying the figure would be confirmed only after the series concluded.

As per the recent agreement between the PCB and the six franchises, he said, the board received 5 percent of the revenue generated by the league, while the rest went to the franchises. Both the board and the franchises then willingly invested the money back into Pakistan cricket.

“When PCB makes that 5 percent revenue, it will reinvest it into Pakistan cricket,” Burney said. “Be it in the form of player welfare, pathways development, infrastructure or women’s cricket, whatever money the PCB earns, it will obviously be reinvested [in Pakistan cricket].”

Najam Sethi, a former PCB chairman who founded the PSL series in 2016, agreed that growing investment in the T20 league had benefited Pakistani cricket in “multiple ways.” 

“It has doubled PCB’s annual revenues from all sources, enabling it to improve cricketing facilities across the country and uplift local cricketers,” he told Arab News, saying PSL was also the main reason for the return of international cricket to Pakistan, which had benefited the private sector.

“It has breathed [life into] the private sector’s dynamism and initiative into the game, similar to the case of other leading cricketing nations,” he said, adding that the revival of Pakistan’s economy and the end of the coronavirus pandemic would “flush it [PSL] with lucrative sponsorships and roaring crowds.”

In the future, the former PCB chief saw the tournament getting “bigger and starrier and more competitive“: “It will also become more encompassing with the addition of more venues like Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Faisalabad.”

Other than being a coming of age for the business of sports in Pakistan, PSL has also been a turning-point for young Pakistani cricketers who, because of international isolation, had missed out on opportunities to learn from leading international players.

“They hadn’t even dreamed of sharing dressing rooms with some of them [international stars] … This is a rich learning experience for our youngsters,” Aalia Rasheed, Pakistan’s first female cricket anchor and a senior analyst at Geo News, said. “Big names like Viv Richards are sharing stories with young cricketers and talking to them about his techniques which goes a long way in helping them. It is amazing to see legends like Wasim Akram, Hashim Amla and various other big names associated with the PSL.” 

PSL had now become the golden standard for young players,” Rasheed said.

“They perform in Pakistan’s domestic structure and give their best in international T20Is so that they can be selected for the next PSL.”

“For Pakistan cricket, PSL is a revolution. From the players’ point of view, the maximum a player can earn from PSL is Rs2.5 crores ($142,000) and the minimum they can earn is Rs1.65 million ($9,300).”

“The PSL is a festival in itself where the cricketer derives a lot of benefits,” Javed Miandad, a former Pakistan captain popularly known as “the greatest batsman Pakistan has ever produced,” said. “It teaches young cricketers a lot.

PSL had been a godsend for young cricketing talent in Pakistan who, in the absence of a T20 league, could only earn from Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure in case they failed to make it to the national team, Miandad said.

Most importantly, Rahseed said, because PSL had brought in revenue for PCB, there was more money to invest in Pakistan’s first-class cricket structure, stadiums and pitches.

“Unfortunately, Pakistan is not allotted a lot of ODI and Test matches [in a calendar year],” she said. “Hence, this is an excellent way for us to earn the much-needed revenue and reinvest it into Pakistan cricket.”


Pakistan's Punjab bans entry to parks, zoos and playgrounds amid pollution

Updated 13 sec ago
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Pakistan's Punjab bans entry to parks, zoos and playgrounds amid pollution

  • The province has set up a ‘smog war room,’ using satellite, drones and AI to monitor and address pollution
  • Environmentalists want government to address fuel quality, renewable electricity and industrial emissions

LAHORE: Pakistan's eastern Punjab province banned entry to parks, zoos, playgrounds and other public spaces on Friday to protect the public from polluted air, and is considering closing down universities after shutting schools earlier this week.

The air quality in Lahore has deteriorated drastically, earning Punjab's regional capital the rank of world's most polluted city from Swiss air purification equipment maker IQAir.

"We are closely monitoring the situation. There's a possibility of closing universities and colleges on Monday to reduce vehicle emissions," said Jahangir Anwar, Secretary of the Environment Protection Department Punjab.

Friday's order from the regional government placed a "complete ban on public entry in all parks ... zoos, playgrounds, historical places, monuments, museums and joy/play lands" until Nov. 17 in areas including Lahore.

In addition to shutting schools, the province has already taken other steps such as suggesting half of employees work from home and banning rickshaws in certain areas.

South Asia annually faces severe pollution due to trapped dust, emissions and stubble burning - the practice of setting fire to fields after the harvest of grain.

Punjab has attributed this year's particularly high pollution levels to toxic air from neighbouring India, where air quality has also reached hazardous levels.

Punjab has set up a "smog war room," using satellite, drone technology and AI to monitor and address pollution. Nevertheless, Anwar says there is not enough equipment to effectively monitor the province, with only four air quality monitoring machines for the entire city of Lahore, "whereas we should have 50.”

Anwar said the department had imported and deployed five mobile monitoring units and plans to deploy eight more by year-end.

Ahmad Rafay Alam, an environment lawyer and member of the Pakistan Climate Change Council, stressed the need for robust data and policy changes.

"Right now, we just simply don't have those monitors, we simply don’t have as robust data as we should have to make decisions," Alam said.

He warned that without addressing fuel quality, renewable electricity and industrial emissions, the problem will continue to worsen.

 


Father accused of killing daughter tells UK jury wife told him to confess

Updated 35 min 46 sec ago
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Father accused of killing daughter tells UK jury wife told him to confess

  • Urfan Sharif is accused of murdering Sara Sharif last year, alongside her stepmother and uncle
  • Police found the girl’s body with multiple fractures, bruises, burns and bite marks at her home

LONDON: The father of a 10-year-old British-Pakistani girl on trial in London for her murder on Friday said his wife told him to confess to killing his daughter.
Urfan Sharif, 42, is accused of murdering Sara Sharif on August 8 last year, alongside her stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, and the girl’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 29.
All three deny the charge and of causing or allowing her death.
A jury at the Old Bailey court was told that all three left the family home in Woking, southwest of London, the day after Sara died and flew to Pakistan.
Sara’s body, which had multiple fractures, bruises, burns and bite marks, was found by police after a tip-off from Sharif in Islamabad.
Giving evidence for a fourth day, he said he was devastated by her death but agreed to leave because Batool had told him Sara had been beaten by another of his children, and he feared the consequences for them.
Before leaving, he wrote a note taking the blame. “Whoever sees this note, it’s me Urfan Sharif who killed my daughter by beating,” it read.
But Sharif told the jury that the confession was dictated by his wife.
“I was merely writing, the wording was not mine,” he said, insisting he took the blame to protect his other children.
Before leaving on August 9, 2023, Sharif left the house keys under the doormat, so the police would not have to break through the door, and had resolved to tell the authorities about Sara when he was out of the country.
A recording was played in court of Sharif’s garbled phone call to police in the UK after arriving in Islamabad.
“I killed my daughter, I killed my daughter,” he said.
Instructing police to the house, he said he “left in a panic” and added: “I promise I’ll come back.”
One month later, Sharif, Batool and Malik returned to the UK and were arrested.


Pakistan PM unveils winter power relief package to cut electricity costs for consumers

Updated 08 November 2024
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Pakistan PM unveils winter power relief package to cut electricity costs for consumers

  • PM Shehbaz Sharif says the initiative will alleviate financial pressure on consumers, stimulate economic activity
  • Relief package will reduce tariffs for domestic, industrial and commercial users for three months starting December

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday a three-month electricity relief package starting in December, aimed at reducing tariffs for domestic, industrial and commercial consumers.

The announcement comes after the government faced widespread protests earlier this year over rising inflation and high electricity costs following the presentation of its first budget in June. Political parties urged the Sharif administration to renegotiate agreements with independent power producers to lower tariffs.

Pakistan’s manufacturing sector has also expressed concerns over the years due to the rising cost of electricity, saying the elevated power tariffs render national exports uncompetitive in the global market.

“The government has decided to offer an electricity relief package for the three winter months of December, January and February, providing substantial reductions in electricity prices for additional usage,” the prime minister said during a ceremony in Islamabad.

“Under this package, domestic consumers will pay a flat rate of Rs26.07 per unit for incremental electricity usage, resulting in savings of Rs11.42 to Rs26 per unit for household users,” he continued. “The package will apply across Pakistan.”

Electricity consumers in the country pay their bills according to the number of units that fall into various slabs, each with its own tariff rates.

Under the new winter package, industrial consumers will benefit from savings ranging between Rs5.72 and Rs15 per unit, according to Sharif, translating to an 18 percent to 37 percent reduction in electricity costs.

Commercial consumers are set to save between Rs13.46 and Rs22 per unit, equating to overall savings of 34 percent to 47 percent.

Sharif also emphasized the broader economic benefits of the initiative, saying it would alleviate financial pressures on consumers and stimulate economic activity in the country.

“With reduced electricity costs, industries will grow across Pakistan, agriculture will flourish, business and exports will expand, production will increase and Pakistan’s economy will strengthen further,” he said.


No official word from India it will participate in Champions Trophy in Pakistan — PCB

Updated 08 November 2024
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No official word from India it will participate in Champions Trophy in Pakistan — PCB

  • Mohsin Naqvi’s statement comes amid Indian media reports their team may not play the tournament
  • PCB chief maintains sports should be free from politics, says Pakistan’s preparations are continuing

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Friday there has been no official communication from Indian cricket authorities regarding their national team’s participation in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Champions Trophy scheduled to take place in Pakistan next year, despite recent reports in the Indian media suggesting otherwise.
Political tensions between India and Pakistan mean the two South Asian rivals only face each other at international tournaments. The Indian team last visited Pakistan in 2008 for the 50-over Asia Cup.
India’s refusal to play on Pakistani soil since then forced the PCB to settle for a “hybrid model” during last year’s Asia Cup, in which only four of the 13 matches were held in Pakistan, with the remaining nine played in Sri Lanka.
“For the past two months, there have been reports in Indian media that the Indian team is not coming [to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy],” Naqvi said during a news conference in Lahore.
“As far as what Indian media is reporting, if the Indian media is reporting this, then with that there must also be a letter that the ICC will give us [Pakistan] or the Indian [cricket] board must have announced [this decision] somewhere,” he continued. “So far, no such letter has reached me or the PCB.”
The ICC Champions Trophy, set to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, marks Pakistan’s first time hosting this prestigious tournament. The PCB has been preparing extensively, investing in stadium upgrades and infrastructure improvements to meet international standards.
Naqvi emphasized the need to keep sports free from political influence, adding the preparations for the Champions Trophy would continue as planned with hopes for a successful event.
The ICC has previously expressed satisfaction with Pakistan’s preparations, signaling that the tournament remains on track.
The PCB chief said during his media talk he was in contact with the cricket authorities in other countries, saying they were all excited about the upcoming event and wanted to play the tournament in Pakistan.


Pakistan, UAE sign agreements in customs, rail, airport infrastructure, maritime sectors

Updated 08 November 2024
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Pakistan, UAE sign agreements in customs, rail, airport infrastructure, maritime sectors

  • UAE minister of state for foreign trade calls on Pakistani PM Sharif
  • In May, Pakistan said UAE had committed $10 billion in investments

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the UAE on Friday signed four MoUs in the sectors of customs, rail and airport infrastructure, maritime shipping and logistics, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office in Islamabad said in a statement.
The MoUs were signed between the Pakistani ministries of maritime affairs, aviation and railways and the Federal Board of Revenue with the Abu Dhabi (AD) Ports Group.
“As per these MoUs, Pakistan and AD Ports Group would explore potential collaboration in customs, rail, airport infrastructure and maritime shipping and logistics sectors,” the PM’s office said after Sharif met a delegation of UAE investors led by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE minister of state for foreign trade.
“These MoUs are aimed at improving digital customs controls, developing dedicated freight rail corridors, upgrading Pakistan’s maritime fleet and marine services, as well as Pakistan’s international airports.”
Sharif said the delegation’s visit demonstrated that the UAE government wanted to enhance its “investment footprint” in Pakistan and continue to play a “crucial role” in boosting Pakistan’s economy.
“The Prime Minister highlighted the comprehensive economic partnership between the two nations across sectors such as trade, energy, and investment, which has contributed to growth and prosperity in both countries.”
The UAE delegation’s visit to Pakistan comes as Islamabad is seeking to strengthen trade and investment ties with friendly nations. 
In May this, Pakistan said the UAE had committed $10 billion to invest in promising economic sectors in Pakistan.
Riyadh has also promised a $5 billion investment package that cash-strapped Pakistan desperately needs to shore up its dwindling foreign reserves and fight a chronic balance of payment crisis. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also signed 34 MoUs worth $2.8 billion last month.