First and the foremost: the full hosting of the PSL-5 at home and the arrival of quality foreign players — like Darren Sammy, the darling of Pakistan fans, as well as Kieron Pollard, Alex Hales, Luke Ronchi, Colin Ingram and Imran Tahir — does carry a powerful message to the whole world that Pakistan is safe for foreign travel. It will promote a soft image of Pakistan, and of Pakistanis being a sports-loving nation. With a million US dollars at stake in prize money, the PSL promises keen contests among the six competing teams — something that will greatly help lift the standard of the game in the country.
The hosting of the PSL at home is also vital from financial perspective. It will help set off economic activities in the country, which have otherwise slowed down due to the policy of fiscal tightening currently being pursued by the government. In a bigger gain, the broadcast of the matches to more than a dozen countries of the world — including Australia, England, Ireland, Americas, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and others — will earn Pakistan the much-needed foreign exchange against the sale of broadcasting rights. And then the PSL is also helpful in the context of tourism promotion in the country. Last but not the least: the PSL has a showcase potential to lure foreign investors.
So let’s welcome the PSL gala!
Published in The Express Tribune, February 20th, 2020.
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