There were concerns around the PSL 2025: Would it attract the public? The tenth edition overlapped with the IPL, the most followed franchise cricket league. Then it was feared that Pakistan’s national teams’ disappointing performance in the recent high-profile white-ball international events might keep people away.

Yes, there were poor crowds at the Karachi matches, but people thronged the Rawalpindi stadium. It has been a mixed bag at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium: 50 -90%. Most of the matches have been well-contested thrillers going down to the wire.

However, the most astonishing fact is the exponential growth in digital viewing. The PSL X recorded an incredible 826.5% increase in digital live streaming viewership in its first week compared to the last season, and the first 12 matches had more than 1.1 billion views.

This phenomenal digital growth manifests a transition in Pakistanis’ consumption of cricket. PSL can proudly count itself among South Asia’s most-watched digital sports events.

The first three matches had 477.7 million live stream views, more than eight times last year (57.8 million) during the same period: Match 1: 137.6 million views. Match 2: 253.5 million views.Match 3: 86.5 million views.

The league’s following has played a role. But this upswing owes a lot to the well-planned digital-first approach of the PCB, leveraging live streaming, short-form content, and on-demand highlights to engage the fast-moving online viewership.

For this, the PSL expanded partnerships across OTT streaming platforms which provide broader accessibility and mobile-first engagement.

The PCB’s official media channels have achieved staggering figures across all platforms.

As of Match 21: Total Views: 1.4 billion+ across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and X, etc. Watch Time: 604 million minutes

New Followers Gained: 1.29 million

Reach + Impressions: 870.4 million

Total Engagements PCB Digital: 45.02 million (likes, shares, comments). This was possible because of a well-designed strategy comprising a mix of match highlights, behind-the-scenes content, player features and fan-focused reels.

Economics and comfort also played a role. For a commoner in this country, the tickets are expensive. It costs a lot for a family of five, plus the transport and refreshments expenses. The digital viewing addresses this. In towns, big and small, every second person has a smart phone.

A vast majority of homes in urban areas have a laptop. The introduction of Urdu-language commentary for the first time has also contributed to PSL’s increased viewership.

The main contributory factors include more smart phone penetration, developments in streaming infrastructure and the emergence of a mobile-first generation.

Over the period, the fans forge a strong affiliation with the team. This is widely seen in many sports, especially in soccer. The supporters view it as an extension of their identity.

This has also permeated the 10-year-old PSL. For instance, the Pathans everywhere keenly follow Peshawar Zalmi. I belong to the old school that believes Test cricket is real cricket, yet I follow Lahore Qalandars and want them to do well.

Sports merchandise is also capturing the market. The supporters are seen waving flags and wearing the franchise’s team jerseys. This fan following has entered a new era of online engagement. The enthusiasts connect with their team and fellow supporters via social media and online forums.

Some key technologies used in PSL-10 have also made digital viewing more interesting and enjoyable: 1. Real-Time Player & Field Tracking - Live visuals of fielder positions, batter POV, movement paths, and dynamic field setups with wagon wheels and cordons.

2. Advanced Motion & Speed Analytics - Distance covered, sprint speed, throw time, catch distances, bowler run-up tracking, and run-out breakdowns.

3. AI-Powered Match Insights - Live win probability, score projections, batter dismissal predictions, and dynamic match-up data.

4. Performance-Based Rankings - Power Index (form over last 3 PSLs), Match MVP, and Series MVP to spotlight top performers.

5. Fantasy-Ready Data Enhancements - Live updates and smart metrics to support fan engagement and fantasy league participation.

PSL X’s phenomenal growth in digital viewership indicates a new era in the country’s cricket economy. The digital landscape of the PSL and other leagues is evolving. The lines between traditional broadcasting and digital engagement are becoming increasingly blurred.

The rapid advancement in interactive features, real-time fan engagement and tech-driven broadcasting innovations clearly shows that the future of cricket viewership will be determined by digital platforms.

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