Alienating the main men: Players unhappy at being sidelined at their own event

Feel the PCB gave more importance to models and film stars at the PSL logo launch.

KARACHI:

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) logo launch on Sunday received a mix response for its management and on-stage activities as national team players complained of being sidelined in favour of models and film stars — making the event seem more like a fashion show than the launch of a sporting event.

It all started with the seating arrangement, with the players being given seats in the back while showbiz stars sat in the front row.



“The PSL logo launch was highly mismanaged as the cricketers failed to receive the respect and attention they deserved,” a senior member of the team told The Express Tribune. “The showbiz stars were the ones who came to support us but it seemed like it was the other way around as we played second fiddle to them throughout the night.”

The player went on to question the priorities of those in charge. “I would say it was a good fashion show in which the cricketers were also present as an added incentive,” he said. “The Pakistan Cricket Board [PCB] and PSL officials need to realise that it is the players who will make the PSL a success, not film stars.”

The sentiment seemed to be shared by the entire team, with another player saying that the event was a disastrous start to the league from a PR and marketing aspect.

Officials of the board too felt that the players were not being given enough of the limelight and admitted that PR and marketing officials failed in their roles.

However, this is not the first time that those departments have come under scrutiny. Amjad Hussain Bhatti is heading the media department, with Imran Ahmed and Umer Mehmood in support, while Naila Bhatti is marketing incharge. The position of both heads — Hussain and Naila — has come under criticism as many feel their performances do not justify their lofty positions.

“The event was boring and stretched on for three hours,” admitted a PCB official. “The microphone was not working properly, the actors were walking in late and the hosts were slow-paced. But all of this would be edited out from the 30-minute video so that it looks like none of those mismanagements ever took place.”

The players present at the event were not the only ones who were left furious with the management. World T20 winning captain Younus Khan also blasted the board for not inviting him to the event, stating the PCB has shown him where he stands as far as the PSL is concerned. The board, however, is adamant that Younus was invited for the event, with his invitation being sent through a local courier service.

PSL ambassador Wasim Akram, on the other hand, said that the launch marked the start of something big, and the fans need to start getting excited for it. “We need to look at this event for what it really is; the launch of something big and exciting for Pakistan cricket,” he said. “It’s a new era. Last night’s show was just a preview of the overall big picture, our country’s first future super league. I think the people of Pakistan should start getting excited.”

Journalists present at the event claimed the truth lay somewhere in the middle, with the event’s organisation far exceeding those of previous such ceremonies held by the board but still leaving a lot to be desired.

National opener Ahmed Shehzad said that the league provides a launching pad for Pakistani cricketers to be part of a historic competition. “It’s good that the PSL has officially gotten underway with the logo launch and hopefully the future would be better for Pakistani cricketers,” he said. “Young upcoming players will have a chance to play alongside superstars such as Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Kevin Pietersen.”

Former England batsman Pietersen, as famous for his batting talents as his controversial streak, also sent a video message to convey his excitement for the project, and so did West Indies T20 skipper Darren Sammy.

Interestingly, there was no mention of where the PSL will be taking place, with recent reports suggesting that the league is almost a certainty to be shifted from Qatar to the UAE.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd,   2015.

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