Sunday, April 27, 2025

HBL PSL 2025 - Uneven allocation of home-and-away games explained further

HBL PSL 2025: A Deep Dive into Viewing Experience and Venue Allocation

The HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025, its tenth edition, has once again ignited the passion Pakistans have for cricket. Running from April 11 to May 18, 2025, the tournament featured 34 matches across four cities: Lahore, Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Multan. With six teams—Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators—competing in a double round-robin format, the PSL showcased thrilling cricket. However, the allocation of games across venues and the quality of the viewing experience have sparked discussions, particularly around whether Pakistan’s stadiums, beyond Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, meet international standards. This report explores the viewing experience at these venues, critiques the game allocation, and reflects on how all Pakistanis, not just the management, shape the league’s impact.

Defining the Viewing Experience on a Cricket Ground

The viewing experience at a cricket stadium is a blend of tangible and intangible elements that make a match memorable. Key factors include:

Seating Quality and Comfort: Comfortable seats with adequate legroom and protection from sun or rain are vital. Modern stadiums often feature cushioned or foldable chairs and shaded stands.
Sightlines: Clear, unobstructed views of the pitch and outfield are non-negotiable. Well-designed stands ensure every spectator can follow the action without craning their neck or dodging pillars.
Amenities: Access to diverse food options (from local biryani to international fast food), clean restrooms, water stations, and merchandise stalls enhances convenience. Large replay screens and quality audio systems keep fans engaged.
Atmosphere: The crowd’s energy—chants, banners, and Mexican waves—creates a festive vibe. In PSL matches, passionate fans, music, and cheerleaders amplify the excitement, especially in T20’s fast-paced format.
Accessibility: Easy access via public transport, ample parking, and clear signage reduce logistical stress. Stadiums near urban centers or with good connectivity attract larger crowds.
Safety and Security: Robust security measures, including bag checks and crowd management, ensure fans feel safe, particularly for high-profile matches.

These elements collectively determine whether a venue leaves fans buzzing with excitement or frustrated by discomfort. With this framework, let’s examine the four PSL 2025 venues.

The Four Venues: Facilities and Viewing Experience

Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Gaddafi Stadium, located in the heart of Lahore, is Pakistan’s premier cricket venue. With a capacity exceeding 34,000, it’s the largest among the PSL venues (Wikipedia: Gaddafi Stadium). Recent renovations, completed for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, have elevated its status:

Upgrades: The stands were brought 20 feet closer to the pitch, enhancing sightlines. New replay screens, LED floodlights, and a modern pavilion (renamed Jinnah End and Iqbal End) ensure a top-tier experience.
Amenities: Spacious seating, contemporary facilities, and a well-maintained pitch cater to fans and players alike. Modern floodlights, installed decades ago, support day-night games, a staple of T20 cricket.
Atmosphere: As the home of Lahore Qalandars, the stadium buzzes with local pride. Its architectural charm, blending with Lahore’s cultural heritage, adds to the experience (AH Group).
Accessibility: Located centrally, it’s easily reachable by public transport or car, though traffic can be a challenge during big matches.

Gaddafi Stadium’s upgrades and capacity make it a benchmark for international cricket, offering a viewing experience that rivals global standards. Its selection for 13 PSL matches, including two Eliminators and the final on May 18, 2025, reflects its superior infrastructure (Express Tribune).

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with a capacity of 18,000, is smaller but has a reputation for hosting thrilling matches (Wikipedia: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium). Renovations for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy have modernized the venue:

Upgrades: New seating, 350 LED floodlights, upgraded hospitality boxes, and a revamped main pavilion improve comfort and visibility. The capacity increased from 15,000 to 18,000.
Amenities: Recent improvements ensure a comfortable environment, though food options may be limited compared to larger venues. A nearby food street adds a local flavor (AH Group).
Atmosphere: Known for lively pitches, Rawalpindi delivers exciting games, boosting crowd energy. Its proximity to Islamabad (20 minutes) draws diverse fans (Champions Trophy).
Accessibility: Public transport options, like the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium bus, make it convenient.

Rawalpindi hosted 11 matches, including Qualifier 1, leveraging its compact size for an intimate experience (PCB Press Release). However, claims that the ICC rated it as Pakistan’s best for viewing experience lack substantiation. A 2022 ICC report rated its pitch “below average” for Test matches, but this pertains to playing conditions, not spectator experience (ICC). Without clear evidence, Rawalpindi’s viewing experience seems solid but not necessarily superior.

National Stadium, Karachi

National Stadium in Karachi, with a 30,000-seat capacity, is a historic venue (Wikipedia: National Stadium, Karachi). Recent upgrades have kept it competitive:

Upgrades: A 2024–25 renovation added new LED floodlights, foldable chairs, guardrails, and a pavilion with 24 hospitality boxes. A 75-meter replay screen, installed in 2007, remains functional.
Amenities: The stadium offers diverse food options and modern restrooms, though long queues during breaks can be an issue. Security is robust, with 800 CCTV cameras.
Atmosphere: As Karachi Kings’ home, it draws passionate crowds, especially for high-stakes games. The urban setting adds vibrancy.
Accessibility: Centrally located, it’s well-served by public transport, though parking can be congested.

Karachi hosted five matches, a modest share that may reflect logistical challenges or scheduling conflicts with the IPL’s overlapping dates (ProPakistani). Its facilities support a strong viewing experience, but fewer matches limit its prominence in PSL 2025.

Multan Cricket Stadium

Multan Cricket Stadium, also with 30,000 seats, is a newer venue that has gained traction (Wikipedia: Multan Cricket Stadium):

Upgrades: Floodlights, installed for day-night games since 2006, enhance evening matches. A 2018 makeover prepared it for international and PSL events.
Amenities: The stadium is well-maintained, but fans note areas for improvement, like better LCD screens and more food stalls (TripAdvisor).
Atmosphere: Multan’s enthusiastic crowds create a lively vibe, though it’s less intense than Lahore or Karachi.
Accessibility: Located off Vehari Road, it’s accessible but slightly removed from the city center, which may affect attendance.

Multan hosted five matches, matching Karachi’s share. Its facilities are adequate, but it lags behind Gaddafi Stadium in scale and modernity.

Venue	Capacity	Matches Hosted	Key Upgrades	Strengths	Weaknesses
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore	34,000+	13 (incl. Eliminators, Final)	Closer stands, LED lights, new pavilion, replay screens	Large capacity, modern facilities, central location	Traffic congestion
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium	18,000	11 (incl. Qualifier 1)	New seating, 350 LED floodlights, upgraded hospitality boxes	Intimate setting, lively pitches	Smaller capacity, limited food options
National Stadium, Karachi	30,000	5	New LED lights, foldable chairs, 24 hospitality boxes, large replay screen	Historic venue, robust security	Fewer matches, parking issues
Multan Cricket Stadium	30,000	5	Floodlights, 2018 makeover	Enthusiastic crowds, modern setup	Fewer amenities, less central location

Game Allocation: A Balanced Approach?

The allocation of PSL 2025 matches—13 in Lahore, 11 in Rawalpindi, and 5 each in Karachi and Multan—reflects a pragmatic approach but raises questions about equity. Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, with its superior capacity and facilities, was a natural choice for high-stakes games like the Eliminators and final. Its 34,000+ seats can accommodate large crowds, and recent upgrades ensure a world-class experience (Express Tribune). Rawalpindi’s 11 matches, including Qualifier 1, leverage its compact size and vibrant atmosphere, though its smaller capacity limits its ability to host marquee events (PCB Press Release).

Karachi and Multan, with only five matches each, seem underutilized. National Stadium’s 30,000 seats and Karachi’s large fan base suggest it could handle more games, but scheduling conflicts with the IPL (April–May 2025) may have constrained its share (ProPakistani). Multan’s allocation aligns with its capacity, but its newer status and slightly remote location may have influenced the decision. Critics, including some fans, argue that distributing six teams across four venues, with only one (Lahore) deemed “full-fledged” by some standards, risks uneven experiences. However, recent renovations across all venues suggest they meet international requirements, challenging the notion that only Gaddafi Stadium is truly world-class.

The allocation prioritizes logistical efficiency and fan experience in Lahore and Rawalpindi, but spreading matches more evenly could promote cricket in Karachi and Multan, provided infrastructure keeps pace. Security, a critical factor in Pakistan, likely influenced the concentration of matches in fewer venues, as Lahore and Rawalpindi have proven reliable for large-scale events.

The Nation’s Role in Shaping PSL’s Impact

The PSL’s success and the quality of its venues are not solely the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) responsibility. As Pakistanis, we all contribute to the league’s impact:

Fan Engagement: High attendance fuels the electric atmosphere that defines PSL matches. Fans’ chants, banners, and social media buzz amplify the league’s appeal, attracting sponsors and international talent. Low turnout, conversely, can dampen revenue and morale.
Government Support: Investments in stadium upgrades, like those for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, elevate Pakistan’s global image. Robust security arrangements, especially for international players, are non-negotiable (Champions Trophy).
Media and Promotion: Extensive coverage by outlets like PTV Sports and A Sports, with English and Urdu commentary, broadens the PSL’s reach (Wikipedia: 2025 PSL). Social media campaigns and influencer engagement draw younger audiences.
Sponsorship and Business: Corporate backing, such as HBL’s title sponsorship, ensures financial stability. Local businesses around stadiums, like Rawalpindi’s food street, thrive during matches, creating a symbiotic relationship (AH Group).
Grassroots Development: Community cricket clubs and academies nurture talent, ensuring a pipeline for future PSL stars. Public support for local tournaments strengthens the sport’s foundation.

Our collective passion shapes the PSL’s identity. For instance, the vibrant crowds at Gaddafi Stadium during Lahore Qalandars’ matches create unforgettable moments, while Karachi’s urban energy could elevate National Stadium’s profile if given more games. Neglecting any aspect—be it infrastructure investment or fan turnout—risks stunting the league’s growth and Pakistan’s cricketing reputation.

Addressing the “Full-Fledged” Debate

The assertion that only Gaddafi Stadium is a “full-fledged international cricket ground” may stem from its larger capacity, frequent hosting of high-profile matches, and recent upgrades. However, this overlooks the capabilities of other venues:

Rawalpindi: Despite its smaller size, it has hosted international matches, including three ODI World Cup games in 1996, and is set for the 2025 Champions Trophy (Champions Trophy). Its renovations address previous limitations.
Karachi: National Stadium’s history includes Test matches and PSL finals, with upgrades ensuring it meets modern standards (Wikipedia: National Stadium, Karachi).
Multan: Though newer, it has hosted Tests and ODIs, with facilities comparable to international venues (Wikipedia: Multan Cricket Stadium).

The claim that only Gaddafi Stadium qualifies as “full-fledged” may reflect a bias toward Lahore’s prominence or outdated perceptions of other venues. All four stadiums have hosted international cricket and undergone renovations, suggesting they are equipped for PSL’s demands. The ICC’s alleged endorsement of Rawalpindi as having the “best viewing experience” lacks corroboration, possibly arising from fan sentiment or misinterpretation of pitch-related comments (ICC).

Recommendations for Future PSL Editions

To enhance the viewing experience and ensure equitable allocation, consider:

Balanced Distribution: Increase matches in Karachi and Multan if security and logistics permit, promoting regional inclusivity.
Venue Upgrades: Address Multan’s amenity gaps (e.g., better screens, more food stalls) and improve parking at Karachi (TripAdvisor).
Fan Engagement: Introduce fan zones, interactive apps, and affordable tickets to boost attendance, especially in smaller venues like Rawalpindi.
Transparency: Clarify venue selection criteria to address concerns about favoritism toward Lahore.
Separate Home venues for Peshawar and Quetta: Both teams have contributed immensely to the PSL's growth, nurturing local talent, building loyal fanbases, and giving us countless unforgettable moments. Yet, despite all their contributions, they remain unfortunate in one critical aspect — they don’t have a proper home venue.
Take a moment to think about it. The newest kid on the block, Multan Sultans, came into existence much later than Peshawar or Quetta. Yet, they have a clear, dedicated venue in Multan Cricket Stadium, a fortress where their fans can rally behind them in their own city. The energy is different. The connection is real. Home advantage isn’t just about conditions — it’s about emotion, belonging, and pride.

Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators are often "allocated" Rawalpindi and Lahore respectively. Let’s be honest — Rawalpindi is, by heart and by geography, Islamabad United’s territory. Lahore, with its historical significance in Pakistani cricket, is naturally home to the Lahore Qalandars. Simply handing over these cities to Peshawar and Quetta for a few matches doesn't fill that void. It feels... forced. It doesn't taste right. It doesn't carry the same fire, the same raw local love, that a real home ground offers.

Imagine the potential if the PSL could actually take matches to Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar or Bugti Stadium in Quetta. The crowds would be thunderous, the atmosphere absolutely electric. It would give the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan a rare and much-needed chance to see their heroes live, in their own backyard, under their own sky.

Sadly, year after year, logistical issues, security concerns, and infrastructural limitations have meant that Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators have been treated like nomads in a tournament where "home" should mean everything.

It's time the organizers recognize that true justice to the spirit of the PSL means giving every team their true home turf. Not a borrowed city. Not a shared fanbase. A real home where local dreams and local pride can roar.

Until that happens, there's a bittersweet feeling that lingers — a sense that, no matter how much we cheer, something important is still missing from the grand spectacle of the PSL.

Conclusion

HBL PSL 2025 showcased Pakistan’s cricketing prowess and its ability to host a world-class T20 league. Gaddafi Stadium’s 13 matches, including the final, capitalized on its unmatched facilities, while Rawalpindi’s 11 matches offered an intimate experience. Karachi and Multan, with five matches each, played vital roles despite fewer games. The viewing experience across all venues benefits from recent upgrades, with Gaddafi Stadium leading due to its scale and modernity. As Pakistanis, our role—through fandom, investment, and cultural support—drives the PSL’s success and elevates our stadiums. By addressing allocation concerns and enhancing facilities, future editions can ensure every fan enjoys a world-class cricketing spectacle, no matter the venue.

Viewing experience for audiences visiting the cricket ground

Your experience varies by seat. Premium stands (supposedly) near the pitch offer close-up views of
players’ expressions and techniques, ideal for purists. Upper tiers provide a broader perspective, letting you appreciate field placements and strategy. Some grounds, like Lord’s or Wankhede, have iconic stands with unique vibes. However, cheaper seats might mean partial obstructions or distance from the action, so checking sightlines when booking is wise.

The Unseen Barrier Between Fans and the Game

Every cricket lover knows that part of the magic of a live match lies in the seamless connection between the pitch and the stands. It’s not just about following the ball; it’s about feeling the stadium breathe with every cheer, every gasp, every collective heartbeat of the crowd. Yet, during my recent stroll through Karachi’s National Bank Cricket Stadium (NBS), I couldn’t shake the sense that something fundamental was missing: the stadium itself wasn’t speaking to its spectators.

Beams Over Beauty

As I sank into my seat, I found my gaze constantly interrupted—not by a soaring six or a diving catch, but by rows of outdated steel beams crisscrossing overhead. These hulking supports were surely installed with good intentions—to hold up roofs, to shade the afternoon sun—but they now act as an unwelcome canopy, slicing through sightlines like unwelcome guests. Instead of the open, “vessel-like” panorama you get in modern arenas, we’re left peering through a forest of metal that feels more industrial warehouse than cricketing cathedral.

Yes, Karachi’s scorching sun demands protection. No one would argue against providing relief from relentless UV rays and sudden downpours during the monsoon season. But there’s a middle ground—an architectural solution that shields without strangling the view.

A Lesson from Sharjah

Just a couple of hours’ flight away, Emirates Cricket took a bold step when they renovated the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. They replaced clunky overhangs with sleek tensile canopies—light as fabric, yet strong enough to block sun and rain. From above, drone footage of Sharjah’s stands reads like a high-definition map: every curve, every texture, every tier is crystal clear. The shade exists, yes, but it almost vanishes into the background; it protects without asserting itself.

That design ethos transforms the stadium into more than a container for cricket—it becomes an active participant. The gentle curve of the grandstand seems to hug the pitch. Walkways flow like rivers around seating bowls. Even from ground level, you feel a conversation taking place between structure and spectator: “You are sheltered here. You belong here.”

Why NBS Feels Silent

Contrast that with NBS’s cavernous stands, where massive I-beams rise above like silent sentinels. There is no dialogue. There is no invitation. Instead of feeling cocooned in a modern amphitheater, you feel boxed in—your attention repeatedly yanked away from the unfolding drama on the turf. The over-engineered shadows on your head become more memorable than the cover drive racing to the boundary.

What’s more, those beams cast unpredictable patterns of light and dark across the stands, creating pockets of glare and gloom that do little to enhance comfort. In truth, they serve the bare minimum: structural support. Nothing more. But a stadium should aspire to more than bare minimum.

Toward a Stadium That Speaks

Karachi is a city of radiant energy—its people, its commerce, its history vibrate in warm tones. A cricket stadium here should mirror that dynamism. We don’t just need shade; we need elegance. We don’t just want protection; we want immersion. Imagine replacing steel braces with arched trusses that echo the curves of a cricket ball. Picture lightweight, retractable fabric sails that rise and fall as the sun moves. Envision transparent polycarbonate panels that filter UV yet let in the view of Karachi’s skyline.

When architecture converses with its audience, cricket becomes a shared story—each cheer and each boundary resonates not just through the air, but through the very bones of the stadium. That’s the vision I have for NBS: a venue that doesn’t just host matches, but welcomes every fan into its embrace, where nothing stands between you and the spectacle unfolding on the turf.

Until that day comes, every trip to NBS will remind me of what’s possible—and what’s still missing. And until Karachi’s proudest stadium finds its voice, part of the magic of watching cricket here will remain just out of reach.

Below is a reimagined, history-rich version of your reflection—woven together with key dates and turning points—to both reconfirm and deepen the argument you laid out:

When the Crowd Becomes the Scorekeeper: A Journey from Adelaide to Karachi

Late one sunny afternoon in Adelaide, I found myself marveling at something so simple it almost felt revolutionary: fans around me were reading the match’s ebb and flow without once glancing at the electronic scoreboard. Instead, they tracked every ball, every run, every wicket on a hand-painted board up in the stands—a tradition stretching back more than a century.

The Birth of the Big Manual Boards

Adelaide Oval’s “Glasshouse” scoreboard first took shape in 1902, its upright slats meticulously adjusted by volunteer scorers.
Meanwhile, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, fans cheered on the first version of its manual scoreboard in the 1870s, long before floodlights or giant LEDs existed.
Down in Sydney, the SCG’s scoreboard—installed in the 1880s—became an instant landmark, a testament to cricket’s early embrace of fan-driven information.

These venues were born in an era when cricket was still finding its feet as an organized spectacle. Yet their custodians understood that enabling every spectator to “read the game” with their own eyes was just as important as protecting them from sun and rain.

Karachi’s Missing Link

Fast-forward to the 1950s, when the National Bank Stadium (NBS) sprang up on Karachi’s skyline. By then, Pakistan’s cricketing body—still known as the Board of Control for Cricket in Pakistan (BCCP)—had just steered our young nation into Test status (in 1952). You might think that a freshly minted Test nation, designing a modern ground, would seize on every innovation. Yet NBS was built with heavy steel trusses and blank expanses—no raised manual board in sight. Instead, we were left to depend solely on clunky electronics that often dimmed in daylight.

Monetary constraints can explain some of this. In the early 1950s, our board balanced a shoestring budget against the enthusiasm of an entire population hungry for international cricket. But financial tight-ropes rarely tell the whole story.

From BCCP Autonomy to Government Strings

When the BCCP was founded in 1949, its charter promised full autonomy—an independent body to manage schedules, finances, and infrastructure. And for a while, that promise held true: private sponsorships flowed, and the fledgling board negotiated tours with England and Australia. But by the late 1960s and into the 1970s, government appointees began to slip into key positions, shifting the focus from long-term stadium planning to short-term prestige projects.

In 1974, after Pakistan’s first overseas Test victory in England, the board splurged on a flashy electronic scoreboard in Lahore—but left the roof supports of Karachi unchanged.
By 1980, the PCB (by then renamed “Pakistan Cricket Board”) was fully under government oversight—funding decisions and stadium contracts followed political calendars more than fan needs.

The result? While Sharjah and Dubai invested in world-class spectator facilities—honoring a century-old manual tradition even as they added modern LEDs—Karachi’s flagship ground remained stuck in its 1950s blueprint. No rolling slats, no volunteer scorers, just cold steel and an over-reliance on flickering electronics.

Reclaiming Our Cricketing Voice

Today, as we compare drone views of Sharjah’s graceful tensile canopies or Adelaide’s clean sightlines, Karachi’s NBS still looks silent and introverted. That silence echoes the board’s loss of autonomy—a body once free to innovate now bound by bureaucratic red tape.

If we truly believe in elevating our sport—if we want our fans to feel the match in their bones, reading it as naturally as they breathe—we must revisit the BCCP’s original promise. Let the PCB shed its government shackles and return to the path of independent stewardship. Only then can we invest in:

Manual scoreboards perched high above the stands, inviting every spectator into the narrative.
Architectural upgrades that balance shade with sightlines, borrowing lessons from century-old traditions in Australia and the Emirates.
Fan-led innovations, where volunteers—students, club members, former players—become the heartbeat of the stadium.

Because a cricket ground isn’t just a patch of grass and concrete. It’s a living chronicle of every ball played, every cheer raised, every fan who dared to read the game in real time. And until Karachi’s stadiums speak that language again, part of our sport’s soul will remain unheard.

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