Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released whopping digital viewership figures for the concluded Pakistan Super League Season 10 (PSL X), highlighting the competition's explosive growth and increasing global digital presence.

In debrief sessions with franchises, the PCB unveiled that PSL X saw a huge 647.25% rise in consumption of live streaming over PSL 9. This staggering growth points towards a significant change in the consumption of cricket in Pakistan, with the audience quickly adopting digital platforms to remain connected with their teams and the action, regardless of where they are.

The total viewership on live streaming sites hit a staggering 48.5 billion cumulative minutes, which highlights the tournament's power to hold a large and diverse digitally inclined fan base. The largest surge occurred at the end of the business part of the competition, the final and playoffs, where live streaming originating from within Pakistan alone had 511 million views, an all-time record in the league's history.

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PSL X Represents a Digital Milestone for Cricket in Pakistan

These statistics do more than simply indicate fan passion; they represent a change. Pakistan's cricket fanbase is no longer glued to the television. Smartphones, fast internet, and streaming applications have unlocked new avenues of fan activity and provided the PCB new ways of expanding the PSL brand.

For PCB and PSL stakeholders, this digital boom could not have arrived at a more opportune moment. As negotiations for media rights and sponsorships loom ahead, these viewership numbers provide strong bargaining chips.

Above all, PSL X's record-breaking success demonstrates that Pakistan's largest sporting spectacle is now poised for the next level of international growth, enhanced fan engagement, and sustained year-round digital connect. With the dust settling on Season 10, certainly, PSL X didn't merely entertain; it redefined the Pakistani digital sports universe.

Team India's participation in the 2025 Asia Cup is still in doubt with just less than two months left for the tournament’s scheduled start. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet confirmed or denied the national team's presence in the continent-wide tournament. While speculation builds, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), it appears, has contacted the BCCI about increasing concerns expressed by broadcasters and sponsors over the delay in confirmation.

According to a report in the Times Now, the ACC said that the delay in confirmation is upsetting commercial planning. "We have been informed that in the absence of this information, their ability to plan effectively, allocate resources, and execute their campaigns is significantly constrained. In addition, to highlighting the challenges being faced by them, the media rights partner has highlighted obligations under the Agreement which commence 60 and 90 days prior to the commencement of the 2025 Tournament. Our sponsorship rights partner, TCM, has outlined the commercial concerns associated, particularly in terms of timelines required for effective monetization and activation planning," the letter stated.

Furthermore, the ACC emphasized the urgency, stressing that further delays may result in commercial losses. "In addition, given the proximity of other major ICC and international events, both Sony and TCM have raised concerns that further delays could result in missed commercial opportunities that may not be recoverable due to existing scheduling and lead-time limitations. In light of this, and importantly, with fixtures for other major tournaments now confirmed, we are hoping to alleviate the concerns of our rights holders and finalize the Asia Cup fixtures within this week. This is especially important for the ACC as the Men's Asia Cup is the main source of income for the organization. We believe that further delays may pose the risk of our partners claiming breaches of Agreement and seeking discounts," the ACC wrote.

Pressure Mounts on BCCI to Clarify Stand

The ACC’s formal communication could prompt a response from the BCCI as early as next week. While a promo for the Asia Cup did air during the broadcast of the first Test between India and England, it notably lacked any mention of match dates or venues, further fueling speculation.

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The ACC is currently being taken over by Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi, who replaced former BCCI secretary Jay Shah—now the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). As pressure from commerce grows and with the tournament just around the corner, the question hangs in the balance for a definite pronouncement by BCCI.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has two pivotal debriefing sessions lined up on July 2 and 3 as the league prepares for the next stage in its expansion and revolution. The two meetings are expected to be conducted by PSL CEO Salman Naseer and his staff, and will see all six owners of franchises in attendance as well as other key stakeholders.

The sessions arrive at a critical juncture in the history of the league, after a drastic structural reorganization last winter that saw the PSL established as an autonomous body. Salman Naseer's hiring as the first-ever CEO of the new organization was interpreted as an attempt to bring about greater transparency and efficacy in league operations, but numerous critical hires within the framework are still outstanding.

PSL to Discuss Franchise Charges, Expansion, and Future Directions in Crucial Meetings

The meetings will look to discuss the performance and operations of previous PSL editions, solve persistent commercial and operational issues, and assess the way forward, including the financial viability of the league. Given the valuations of franchises consistently increasing over the years, the PCB is said to be eyeing a hike of 25% in franchise charges. Whereas all franchises last year reaffirmed allegiance to their proprietors, the costliest franchise, Multan Sultans, which pays more than PKR 1 billion every year in membership fees, has been notoriously quiet in light of doubts regarding long-term survival.

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Expansion is another important issue on the agenda. Proposals to add two new franchises for PSL 11 have hit a wall, with no official talks yet undertaken by the PCB. The increased league would have games increase from 34 to 54 and could double revenues as much as 30%, but franchise owners remain in the dark as to financial models or game plans.

A number of major commercial deals are also set to expire, such as title sponsorship, broadcasting rights, ground rights, and live streaming arrangements. The league is currently making about PKR 900 million a year from title sponsorships, with local and overseas broadcasting arrangements contributing billions more to the kitty. As PSL enters its second decade, this week's hearings might go a long way in determining the destiny of one of the globe's most-watched T20 leagues.

Four of Pakistan's top cricket players, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, and Shadab Khan, have officially entered the overseas draft for the June 19 Big Bash League (BBL) Season 15. Due to a gap in Pakistan's international schedule between November and February, these players are available for the entire season and finals, making them highly sought-after additions to BBL teams.

Brisbane Heat hold the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, followed by Adelaide Strikers, who are reportedly keen on adding a quality fast bowler to their ranks. Shaheen Afridi, one of the world’s leading T20 pacers, is expected to draw major interest, although competition for all four Pakistani stars is expected to be fierce.

They join a competitive list of international players which includes England’s Sam Curran and Alex Hales, New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee, Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perera, and West Indies pace sensation Shamar Joseph. All ten players in the first draft release are eligible for the finals, with most available for a majority of the league matches.

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WBBL Draft Welcomes Fatima Sana as Big Bash Leagues See Record Overseas Interest

In the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) draft, Pakistan women’s team captain Fatima Sana is also in the running, alongside other international stars such as India’s Jemimah Rodrigues and Shikha Pandey, England’s Heather Knight, Sophie Ecclestone, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge, South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail and Chloe Tryon, and West Indies’ Deandra Dottin.

BBL General Manager Alistair Dobson welcomed the flood of nominations, noting that over 600 overseas players have registered for the BBL and WBBL drafts combined. He emphasized the league’s global appeal, saying, “The presence of global icons like Shaheen Afridi, Rizwan, and Ecclestone speaks volumes about the Big Bash’s growing stature in world cricket.”

The drafts for both BBL and WBBL will be broadcast live on June 19 across 7mate, 7Plus, Foxtel, and Kayo, with four rounds of selections and multiple salary bands to shape the upcoming season’s rosters.

As part of a big leadership shake-up, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is said to announce Salman Ali Agha as the country's all-format national team skipper, replacing Shan Masood in Tests and Mohammad Rizwan in ODIs. The formal announcement should be made after Eid holidays.

Salman, who is now Pakistan's T20I captain, has impressed officials and selectors with his captaincy as well as consistency with the bat. His promotion indicates the PCB's willingness to move towards a new era under the influence of young energy and new tactics. Sources suggest that the decision has the backing of PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, newly appointed white-ball coach Mike Hesson, and the selection committee. Together, they believe Salman is best positioned to unify the team across formats and lead with renewed direction.

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Salman Ali Agha's Rapid Rise Signals New Era for Pakistan Cricket

Shan Masood's captaincy stint in Tests has been disappointing, with only three victories in 12 matches, including a historic series defeat to Bangladesh. Rizwan, who leads the ODI side currently, has also been said to be dissatisfied with not having a say in matters of selection under the old regime. The PCB seems to be set to clear the decks and begin afresh.

In addition to the captaincy shift, the PCB is also set to unveil the creation of an "observatory committee" that will monitor team developments and provide advice to the chairman. Sarfaraz Ahmed and Sikander Bakht, both former cricketers, are on the list of contenders for this panel, with more names to be added. Also under consideration is a reorganization of the national selection committee, with greater emphasis being placed on scouting talent from domestic and age-group circuits. Naqvi is also said to favour giving the captain and coach more leeway in matters related to team selection.

Pakistan's next Test assignment will be a two-match home series against South Africa later in the year, launching their ICC World Test Championship campaign. With only five Tests planned for 2025, Salman will have few chances to leave an early impression as a red-ball captain. If handed the role, Salman Ali Agha's ascent will be one of the quickest in Pakistan cricket, representing a new bold direction for the national side.

Not all seems to be going well for Bangladesh in the white-ball format, especially if we speak of their current run in the shortest format. Following a crushing series defeat against Pakistan, Bangladesh cricket has reached a new low. The Tigers have fallen behind and find themselves ranked 10th in the ICC Men's T20I Team rankings. The steep decline in their recent form in this format has attracted the ire of their fans and the cricketing community. 

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Their shocking series loss to the USA, an associate nation prior to the start of the 2024 T20 World Cup, sent shockwaves across the nation. If that blow wasn't enough, Bangladesh cricket reached another low point by losing a bilateral T20 series against the UAE this month despite being in a healthy position. Their series defeat against Pakistan has now acted as a final nail in the coffin. 

Following their 57-run defeat to Pakistan in the second T20I, Afghanistan has slipped below Afghanistan and finds itself marginally ahead of Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Scotland, all of whom have defeated Bangladesh at least once in this format.

Current ICC Men's T20I Rankings Points Table (Top 15)

It is safe to conclude that Bangladesh cricket has hit rock bottom. This is one of the lowest points of their cricketing history. The flashes of brilliance in the early 2000s instilled a renewed sense of optimism, and the world hoped to see Bangladesh become a force to reckon with. But decades have gone by, and Bangladesh cricket continues to grapple with issues, both internally and externally.  

In 2024, a student uprising led to the ouster of the country's long-standing president, Sheikh Hasina. In the wake of this unfortunate development, the national cricketing body underwent a phase of turmoil and uncertainty, which has had a direct impact on the team's recent performance. Very recently, BCB also dismissed Faruque Ahmed from the president position as a result of government interference, a move which could lead to the board's temporary suspension by the ICC.

In a major setback for regional cricket, India has apparently decided against participating in the 2025 Men's Asia Cup, putting Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) finances under tremendous pressure. If true, the decision can potentially cost the PCB as much as ₹220 crore, with the impact likely to be felt by broadcasters, sponsors, and surrounding cricket boards too.

As per various Indian media reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially notified the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) of its choice, quoting increasing political tensions and protesting against Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the chairman of the PCB, heading the ACC. This increase is a fresh low in India-Pakistan cricket relations. Though the two teams haven't played a bilateral series for more than a decade, India's possible boycott of a multi-country tournament is being interpreted as an unprecedented move.

India's withdrawal can cost PCB dearly, jeopardizing Asia Cup revenues and future ambitions

The money at stake is enormous. Indian participation in ACC and ICC competitions generates an estimated ₹165–220 crore ($20–26 million) for each cycle for the PCB. Most of this comes from India-Pakistan matches, cricket's most-viewed encounters, generating record broadcast rights and advertising premiums. The Asia Cup broadcast rights, which were sold to Sony Pictures Networks India for a record $170 million for the 2024–2032 cycle, might now be negotiable. Without India participating, the tournament's sheen and its financial worth could plummet.

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Every full member of the ACC is now entitled to 15% of the broadcast revenue from the tournament. A declining pool of revenue would affect Pakistan most, particularly in the wake of the financial beating suffered from the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

The PCB had spent more than PKR 14 billion to enhance stadiums for the Champions Trophy, anticipating a big return. But India's refusal to tour Pakistan meant that the final had to be moved to Dubai. The outcome? Out-of-pocket losses of more than PKR 7 billion, with PCB now running on an overdraft of PKR 3–6 billion. While the board insists it made a PKR 3 billion profit from the event and claims fee cuts were part of a planned restructuring, it has begun trimming player match fees and domestic cricket budgets. Payment delays to players and officials have also raised eyebrows.

India’s absence puts the Asia Cup at risk, leaving regional teams and sponsors in uncertainty

India's withdrawal would also affect Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, which depend on Indian audiences for sponsorships and advertising revenue. Without India, the viability of the Asia Cup is in jeopardy. Broadcasters and sponsors might withdraw, and the women's event might meet the same fate. India has reportedly also withdrawn from the Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup in June in Sri Lanka.

Beyond balance sheets, India’s absence would reduce global exposure for Pakistani players, limit sponsorship interest, and dent PCB’s digital reach, which is heavily dependent on Indian viewership. A BCCI official was quoted as saying, “The Indian team can't play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC, whose chief is a Pakistani minister. That's the sentiment of the nation.” Politically, the tensions have strained cricket relations previously, most prominently in 2023 when a hybrid model for the Asia Cup was devised following India's refusal to compete in Pakistan. However, an outright withdrawal from ACC events marks an aggressive posture.

The 2025 Men's Asia Cup, scheduled in T20 format as a lead-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup, hangs in the balance with this most recent standoff potentially having the tournament canceled or severely diluted. Until then, cricketing fraternity waits for confirmation. But if India stands its ground, the future of PCB and Asian cricket on the whole looks bleak on and off the cricket field.

After the recent war tension between India and Pakistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a big decision and decided to withdraw from the upcoming Asia Cup. The BCCI has informed the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) about its decision to withdraw from the Women's Emerging Team Asia Cup and Men's Asia Cup to be held in September. According to the reports, this decision of the BCCI is part of the effort to isolate Pakistan cricket. Currently, the ACC is headed by Mohsin Naqvi of Pakistan, who is also the President of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

A BCCI source stated that the Indian team would not participate in a tournament organized by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), citing that the ACC is headed by a Pakistani minister, which touches upon national sentiments. The source also went onto mention that they had verbally informed the ACC about India’s withdrawal from the upcoming Women’s Emerging Team Asia Cup and that future participation in ACC events has also been put on hold. They added that the BCCI is in constant communication with the Indian government regarding the matter.

 "The Indian team cannot play in a tournament that is organized by the ACC and whose head is a Pakistani minister. This matter is related to the sentiments of the country. We have verbally informed the ACC about our withdrawal from the upcoming Women's Emerging Team Asia Cup and our future participation in their events has also been put on hold. We are in constant touch with the Government of India," BCCI source said.

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🚨 INDIA OPTS OUT FROM ASIA CUP. 🚨

- The BCCI decides to not participate in the upcoming Asia Cup. (Express Sports). pic.twitter.com/DARU2lameb

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 19, 2025

Asia Cup may be postponed

The BCCI's strong stance has cast uncertainty over the upcoming Men’s Asia Cup, scheduled to be hosted by India in September. With major teams like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka participating, sources suggest the tournament may be postponed. The BCCI reportedly understands that the Asia Cup cannot proceed without India, given the heavy reliance on Indian sponsors and the massive viewership draw of an India-Pakistan clash, which is vital for broadcasters and overall tournament success.

Following the recent terrorist attack in India, there has been growing public sentiment demanding a complete sporting boycott of Pakistan, including in ICC events. Many have also raised concerns about India facing Pakistan in international tournaments, with calls for the two nations to be placed in separate groups to avoid direct matchups. This escalating pressure further complicates the scheduling and structuring of future multi-nation cricket events, particularly those involving both countries.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued an important update regarding ticketing for the remaining eight matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10. Fans who purchased tickets in advance can use the same tickets on the rescheduled match days. The tournament, which was initially called off due to escalating tensions at the India-Pakistan border, caused significant uncertainty. This update brings much-needed relief to spectators amid recent disruptions in the schedule.

PSL 10 holds special importance as Pakistan has a long history of security challenges, which previously kept international cricket away from its home grounds. Only in recent years has cricket resumed on Pakistani soil, with local and international players participating in major tournaments. For the May 18 double-header — Multan Sultans vs. Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi vs. Lahore Qalandars — tickets issued on May 9 will remain valid. The same rule applies to all playoff matches and the grand final, ensuring fans enjoy uninterrupted access.

"The fans who had bought tickets for the 8 May Peshawar Zalmi v Karachi Kings, 9 May Peshawar Zalmi v Lahore Qalandars, and 10 May Islamabad United v Karachi Kings fixtures can now use the same tickets for the corresponding 17, 18, and 19 May fixtures, respectively," according to the notice issued by the PCB.

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People who bought the tickets for the playoffs and final can bring those tickets and enjoy the match on the newly settled dates, and if anyone wants to buy a new ticket, then PCB asks them to visit the official website, www.pcb.tcs.com.pk, and designated TCS Express centers. Parallelly, fans are also eligible for a full refund solely for the contests held on May 1 and May 10 in Multan, as well as for the previously arranged qualifier in Rawalpindi.

PSL 2025 resechuled fixtures

Pakistan Super League (PSL) is likely to resume later this week as both of the countries agreed to a ceasefire. A report came out on Tuesday morning stating that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is under discussion to restart the tournament and conclude it as soon as possible.

Between the escalating military conflict between India and Pakistan, the Indian Premier League (IPL) and PSL both chose to go on hiatus for an uncertain time period. Now, after the IPL is to restart from May 17, the PCB is also in the process of proceeding with their own franchise T20 league.

Though the decision is yet to come, we know when PSL will start again. During the heat exchange between two archrivals, India and Pakistan, many overseas players left Pakistan for security purposes, which caused the PSL teams to void. To maintain the balance between all franchises and the credibility of the tournament, PCB can arrange another draft to bring some foreign players on board.

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The Pakistan Super League has only 8 games to conclude their season and can face major challenges in terms of bringing in new players and logistical reasons. Quality players are already engaged with either IPL or PSL, leaving only high-profile names outside of the contests. 'The logistics around production will also need to be sorted, with the contracts for broadcasting teams ending on 18 May,' stated in a report. As per the current schedule, May 18 is scheduled to host the final match of PSL 10.

Pakistan Cricket Board now needs to solve three problems—filling the gap created by the overseas players who already left the country, rescheduling the matches to cover extra expenses, and logistical reasons.