The 8th edition of the Pakistan Super League is starting on Monday, yet the excitement and buzz that usually surrounds the tournament seem to be missing, due in part to the lack of effective promotion efforts by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The countdown to the much-awaited Pakistan Super League (PSL) 8 has begun, but the cricket world seems to be missing the typical excitement and buzz that usually precedes the tournament. Unfortunately, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has fallen short in creating hype around the event.
One of the major reasons for this lack of excitement is the delayed release of the PSL anthem, set to be performed by the talented Shae Gill, Faris Shafi, and Asim Azhar, with Abdullah Siddiqui as the music producer. The PSL anthem has always helped in sparking the interest among fans and is considered a precept to begin the cricket season in the country. However, this year, the anthem has not been released so far, even with just two days left in the first match of the PSL 8. The singers and artists performing the anthem were also revealed quite late, only discouraging fans’ interest.
The new trophy was also revealed for the PSL 8 but the event was not given enough coverage in the media to engage the audience, with interviews of personnel being more highlighted than the trophy itself.
This, combined with minimal advertising and promotion efforts, such as the release of only one promotional video, has left fans feeling underwhelmed. The social media handles of the PSL have also been inactive, further dampening the anticipation of fans.
Not only has the excitement around the tournament been affected, but the absence of pre-season interviews and shows, which were previously a source of fun banter between players from different franchises, has also lowered the hype.
To add to the confusion, the PCB has changed the slogan of PSL 8 from “Soch Hai Apki” to “Sab Sitaray Hamaray”, which has further added to the confusion surrounding the tournament, the PCB, and the fans. The sudden change in the PCB administration before the tournament has also been cited as a factor in the inadequate planning and promotion efforts.
Above all, the high prices of tickets have discouraged fans from planning to watch the PSL matches live in the stadiums. Only a few enclosures have been kept under the price tag of Rs. 1000, while the Chairman Box has been listed to get booked for a whopping Rs. 120,000
In conclusion, the PCB has failed to generate the excitement and hype that usually surround the PSL. The lack of proper planning and promotion efforts has resulted in a decreased level of interest among fans. It is imperative that the PCB learns from its mistakes and puts in place effective strategies to ensure that future editions of the PSL are well-planned and create the excitement that fans have come to expect.
