PCB Chief Makes Stunning Claim, Says 'PSL Viewership Greater Than IPL'

PCB chief Najam Sethi claimed that the latest edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) has overtaken the Indian Premier League (IPL) in terms of digital viewership.

Pakistan Super League (PSL 2023) concluded on Saturday, March 18, with Lahore Qalandars registering a one-run win over Multan Sultans.

Najam Sethi, chairman of interim management committee of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), made a stunning claim after the conclusion of Pakistan Super League (PSL 2023). Sethi claimed the latest edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) has overtaken the Indian Premier League (IPL) in terms of digital viewership.

The 72-year-old said Pakistan Super League (PSL 2023) was watched by 150 million people digitally, while claiming Indian Premier League (IPL) previous edition's digital viewership to be 130 million. Sethi further said that the fans as well as the federal and state governments of Punjab and Sindh are working hard to make the event a success, Dawn reported. 

"Let’s talk about digital. PSL was only at the half stage, so I asked about our digital rating. Najam Sethi show used to have a 0.5 rating on TV, whereas PSL is getting a rating of more than 11. So, it would be 18 or 20, when it completes.

"Over 150 million people watched it digitally. It is not a small thing. At the same stage, IPL’s digital rating was 130 million and PSL's is more than 150 million. So this is a great success for Pakistan," said Najam Sethi at a press conference.

Pakistan Super League (PSL 2023) concluded on Saturday, March 18, with Lahore Qalandars registering a one-run win over Multan Sultans in a thrilling final at the Gaddafi Stadium. By this win, defending champions Lahore won the PSL title for the second successive time.  

Batting first, Shaheen's unbeaten 15-ball 44 along with Abdullah Shafique's 40-ball 65 helped Qalandars finish with 200/6. In reply, Rilee Rossouw's hard-fought fifty and useful contributions from other batters got Sultans close but Qalandars, in the end, fell one run short with Shaheen picking a match-winning four-wicket haul.