Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi has voiced serious concerns about the diminishing public interest in Pakistan cricket, attributing the trend to lackluster team performances and internal issues plaguing the cricketing structure.
In a candid interview with Cricket Pakistan, Sethi warned that poor on-field results, low fan engagement, and increasing sponsor hesitation are threatening the sport’s standing in the country.
“Our team’s performance is very weak, and that’s reflected in the atmosphere surrounding cricket in the country. Sponsors are becoming hesitant, and some are even refraining from endorsing players,” he noted.
PSL’s Timing Clash with IPL
Sethi also touched upon the scheduling conflicts of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Due to the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, the PSL had to be shifted from its usual February window to April, directly clashing with the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“The timing is tricky, and it creates complications for us,” he stated, acknowledging the challenges of competing for international players’ availability.
While accepting that some top-tier foreign cricketers might be unavailable, Sethi remained confident:
“Players will come. It’s a big world, and there’s always talent available.”
Fans Disenchanted with Senior Players
The former chairman believes that growing frustration with senior players’ performances has contributed to declining ticket sales and dwindling TV viewership.
He emphasized the importance of restoring fans’ faith in the national side, urging efforts to rebuild the cricketing structure and improve results on the field.
Hope for PSL-IPL Champions Clash
Despite the political and diplomatic hurdles between India and Pakistan, Sethi floated the idea of an IPL vs PSL champions face-off, a dream matchup that would generate massive global interest.
“If the situation improves in the future, I think there should be a team of IPL champions and a PSL champion. If not in our own country, we can play in another country,” he said.
Sethi also reflected on the long-standing hope for Indian players to feature in the PSL and for Pakistani cricketers to join the IPL, calling it a shared aspiration of fans and players alike.
“It is our dream because, of course, India and Pakistan produce the best talent in the world,” he added, while acknowledging that the current climate makes this scenario unlikely in the near future.
A Call for Cricket’s Revival
Sethi’s comments highlight the pressing need to reinvigorate Pakistan cricket, address structural inefficiencies, and reconnect with disillusioned fans. While the PSL remains commercially viable, he warned that without meaningful change, its future could also be at risk.
