How PSL helped Pakistan host Champions Trophy 2025, reveals PCB Chairman

The inaugural edition of the PSL (2016) was played in the UAE, but since then it has permanently shifted to Pakistan.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the best franchise cricket tournament in the world; that’s something everyone agrees upon. But for long the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was the second best. Pakistan has an abundance of talent, which, when combined with great foreign batters, makes the PSL a spectacle. Some even said that the level of bowling in PSL was superior to IPL.

In the last couple of years, other leagues have taken away many foreign superstars from them. PSL is no more the second-best league in the world. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should be worried, but despite poor returns, they are extremely proud of what they have been able to do via PSL.

Current PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has credited PSL as one of the biggest reasons why the International Cricket Council (ICC) granted the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy 2025 to Pakistan. Naqvi believes that had PSL not shown the world that Pakistan is safe and that their league is world class, the ICC wouldn’t have trusted them with the responsibility to host six of the best cricket nations.

“The PSL played a pivotal role in reintegrating international cricket into Pakistan. It provided a platform for foreign players to experience Pakistan’s hospitality, security arrangements, and cricketing passion firsthand. Once we successfully staged home international series and consistently delivered PSL editions at world-class standards, the ICC accepted and recognised Pakistan’s readiness to host a global event,” Naqvi told Indian Express.

Latest Cricket News

PCB hopes for hosting rights for more ICC events

The PCB Chairman also believes that this will open the door for hosting other ICC men’s events in the future. Mind you, the Champions Trophy 2025 is the first ICC event that Pakistan is hosting since the ODI World Cup 1996.

“The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is a culmination of those efforts. Our successful hosting of this event will further enhance Pakistan’s credentials, positioning us as a strong contender for more ICC men’s events in the next event cycle,” he added.