The owner of Multan Sultans has slammed the PCB for claiming that the 2025 PSL will be bigger than the previous seasons without making concrete changes or innovations.
The tenth edition of the Pakistan Super League will begin on April 11, with six teams taking on each other in the 34-game tournament. Ahead of the season, Salman Naseer, the PSL chief executive, promised the fans a grander and unforgettable spectacle with “high-octane action and legendary rivalries.”
“As we embark on this landmark 10th season, the HBL PSL is set to elevate the spectacle even further – bigger stars, higher stakes and celebrations befitting a decade of excellence.
“Fans can brace themselves for an unforgettable season of high-octane action, legendary rivalries, and a cricketing carnival that will once again unite the nation and captivate audiences worldwide.”
Also read: PSL team replace Test skipper with retired Australia star as captain
Multan Sultans owner remains unimpressed
Ali Tareen, the owner of the franchise Multan Sultans, who have won the title once in 2021, was not impressed with the statement, asking how the upcoming edition plans to be “bigger and better” without any innovation or improvement. Speaking on the UltraEdge podcast by CrickWick, he asked: “How is PSL 10 bigger and better? Someone explain to me. When we say these hollow words that this is going to be the best PSL, what does that even mean? How will it be the best PSL? It’s the same games, same teams.
"We’ve had nail-biting finishes every year - we have close matches each year, even last year’s final went to the last ball. So what’s different? Same four stadiums, same stadium experience. Yes, the stadiums are better this year, but is that alone enough to make it the best and biggest PSL ever? No. I’m fed up with these empty claims and hollow words.”
Tareen also called out the PSL for their lack of plans to better the league: “I am getting angry again. I am tired of these hollow words from the PCB and management about making this the biggest season. What exactly are we doing differently to make it the best? Someone explain. They claim it will be bigger while repeating the same things as last year. How? I am not disrespecting them, I genuinely want to know. Is there a plan? Are we doing anything new to elevate it? If so, great. But it’s disappointing to see our amazing, successful brand being neglected.”
On being asked on what innovations the PCB could make, Tareen said: “You can do more to engage the fans in the stadiums, improve the food, have more activities, have musical events mid-innings. It doesn’t need to be revolutionary. At least try to do the small things.
“If you look at the Big Bash League, they introduced the Power Surge. You can have the Impact Sub, just think of something. If you don’t want to add new things or a new flair, then stop saying ‘This is going to be the biggest PSL’. It’s going to be the exact same PSL as every year!”
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