PSL X Disaster: Are We Watching Cricket Broadcast or a 2005 Rerun?

When the Pakistan Super League (PSL) X was billed as the “biggest PSL in history,” fans braced themselves for a cricketing extravaganza. The teasers promised state-of-the-art technology, world-class production, and a broadcast experience to rival the best in the business.

Instead, what we’ve been served is a masterclass in how to underwhelm a passionate fanbase. If you tuned in expecting a leap into the future, you might want to check your calendar because it feels like we’ve time-traveled straight back to 2005.

Let’s start with the basics, shall we? The speed gun, a non-negotiable in any self-respecting cricket broadcast, is absent? In a league that prides itself on unearthing and showcasing the fastest bowlers in the world, not displaying the speed of deliveries is nothing short of criminal.

Fans are left to play armchair experts, debating whether that last thunderbolt from Salman Mirza, who shocked the fans in his magnificent four-wicket spell against Peshawar Zalmi, was 145+ kph or just a brisk 135. It’s a small detail, but it’s the kind of thing that separates a professional product from a backyard stream. Underwhelming to say the least.

The camera work, too, has left much to be desired. At times, it feels like the director is experimenting with their desire to become a filmmaker rather than broadcasting a cricket match. Side-on angles that follow the bowler all the way to the crease might sound innovative in a production meeting, but in practice, they’re just confusing.

The ball disappears, the batsman is a blur, and the viewer is left wondering if they’re watching cricket or a CCTV replay from a local club ground. It’s a disservice to the players, analysts, commentators, and the fans.

Now moving on to what the viewers were promised before the start of the tournament. Where are the field setting graphics?

These graphics aren’t just eye candy; they’re essential for fans trying to understand the captain’s tactics and the bowler’s plans. Yet, PSL X is stuck in the dark ages, leaving viewers to guess where the fielders are stationed. We saw the field graphics for a few games before the tournament was halted, but it is unlikely that they will be shown again for the rest of the tournament. Huge disappointment!

But the cherry on this undercooked cake is the complete absence of the Decision Review System (DRS) after the tournament restarted on Saturday. In 2025, this is not just a miss, it’s a howler.

Even the most basic domestic competitions have some form of review system. Yet, the PSL, with all its glitz and glamour, is relying on the naked eye and a prayer. For a league that claims to be “state of the art,” this is nothing short of embarrassing.

The PCB promised us a technological leap. Instead, we’ve landed in a time warp. If PSL actually wants to be taken seriously on the global stage, it’s time to bring the broadcast up to speed. Otherwise, the only thing “big” about this season will be the disappointment.

The PCB and the PSL management need to realize that fans today are not just watching cricket, they’re experiencing it. They want to see the speed, the strategy, the drama, and the technology that makes modern cricket so compelling.

If the PSL wants to be more than just a domestic tournament with a fancy name, it’s time to deliver on the promises and give fans the broadcast they deserve, at least crucial things like the DRS. Otherwise, the only thing “state of the art” about PSL X will be the memes.

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