PSL 2025 coverage in India was suspended after Pahalgam attack.
The decision comes as tensions remain between the PCB and the International Cricket Council (ICC). Pakistan's government signaled its team will boycott the high-profile February 15 encounter against India at the World Cup.
This came after PCB successfully concluded the sale of international media rights for PSL 2026. The tournament is scheduled to begin on March 26, immediately after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup, and will run until May 3. The players’ auction is slated for February 11.
Walee Technologies, a digital media business, emerged as the highest bidder after exceeding the PCB's reserve fee and was awarded the global broadcast and digital rights to PSL 11, except in India. The arrangement was finalized on a one-year basis.
According to the PCB, the latest purchase represents a 149% rise in media rights value over the previous cycle, demonstrating the league's growing international reach and financial success.
FanCode and Sony Sports held the Indian broadcast rights for the PSL last season. But both the platforms suspended coverage of the PSL 2025 midway and also removed PSL-related content following the Pakistan-linked Pahalgam terror attack in April, which significantly impacted viewership and commercial commitments.
The PCB has not announced a timeline for reopening the Indian media rights tender for PSL 11.
Salman Naseer, PSL's CEO, expressed pleasure with the conclusion of the foreign media rights acquisition.
“We are extremely pleased with the result, which has delivered a remarkable 149% increase over the last cycle for the same regions. The sustained rise in international media rights reflects the combined efforts of franchises, players, and partners who have helped establish the PSL as a globally recognised cricketing brand,” Naseer said as per the PCB website.
“We are grateful to Walee Technologies for setting new benchmarks. The sustained rise in international media rights value reflects the collective efforts of franchises, players, and partners who have helped position the PSL as a globally recognised cricketing property,” he added.
Walee Technologies CEO Muhammad Ahsan Tahir also praised the accord, calling it a watershed moment for Pakistan's digital sector.
“This is a victory for every Pakistani who believes in ‘Made in Pakistan’ technology. This is just the beginning of our PSL journey. We have ambitious plans, and we look forward to sharing what lies ahead,” he said.
Given that Pakistan's T20 World Cup stance has already prompted warnings from the ICC about possible legal and financial repercussions from broadcasters over the boycott of the India match on February 15, the PCB's decision to withhold PSL's Indian broadcast rights seems to indicate the wider influence of cricket's geopolitical tensions on business decisions.