The Pakistan Super League (PSL) will kick off with defending champions Islamabad United taking on Lahore Qalandars on April 11 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. PSL is one of the best leagues in the world and enjoys a massive fan following, however, the league will face a stiff challenge in viewership this year because of the direct clash with the Indian Premier League (IPL).

IPL has played a massive role in the growth of local talents who have gone on to become top international players. The PSL also presents the same opportunity to Pakistan cricket, which is in a desperate need of fresh talent. The Men in Green have been on a steady decline and subjected to ferocious criticism. The team was recently thrashed 4-1 in T20Is and 3-0 in ODIs by New Zealand.

With the T20 World Cup lined up next year, PSL will allow new players to make a case for themselves. Also, the seniors, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, will have an opportunity to prove their worth after being left out of the T20I series against New Zealand.

Things will fall in place if Pakistan put cricket on priority, but concerns have been raised about their seriousness toward the sport. On the eve of the PSL, Pakistan players, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Haris, who are part of Peshawar Zalmi franchise, were seen having a big Biryani feast. The video of the same went viral on social media, but it left the fans fuming. Fitness is directly proportional to results, and the fans were unhappy with how the board and players opted for a high carb meal ahead of an important tournament.

A section of fans, however, also defended the players and said that having such meals once in a while is not a big thing.

Meanwhile, the PCB has decided to start PSL matches at 8:00 PM PST, an hour after the start of the IPL matches, to minimise direct airtime clash with the IPL.

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