"Elon Musk will reach $25 trillion net worth in 5-7 years, you are playing in desi rupees - 1-1.5 billion, what are you doing PCB?"- Shoaib Akhtar
Former Pakistan superfast bowler Shoaib Akhtar recently gave financial suggestions to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He urged the board officials to draw inspiration from the net worth of Elon Musk and Meta instead of being satisfied with their current financial position.
Shoaib Akhtar recently appeared on the TNKS podcast, where he spoke about a range of topics. One of them was about how PCB can boost their revenue and maximize the reach of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the country. He felt that PCB officials are 150 years behind the world because of the way they operate.
"Elon Musk will reach $25 trillion net worth in 5-7 years. You are playing in desi rupees - 1 billion, 1.5 billion. What are you doing PCB? Look at Meta, it will touch $2 trillion. Do you understand what I am saying? I read about the world economics. When I tell them (PCB officials) my ideas, they say I am crazy," Akhtar said. [22:47 onwards via YouTube channel Nakash Khan]
"I know about VR/AR developing in USA. They have also developed Quantum channels. In which century are you living? You can't even run PCB," he added.
Akhtar then pointed out that he has a knowledge of economics, which is why he even shared his idea with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. As per Akhtar, PSL should be a tournament of 50 teams, not six teams.
"I shared a financial model with Naqvi sir"- Shoaib Akhtar talks about PSL 2.0
Sharing the details of how PCB can benefit from a 2.0 version of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Shoaib Akhtar suggested there should be eight teams from eight regions. The board should sell each franchise for a million dollars so they have proper revenue.
Shoaib Akhtar suggested that the matches should happen across Pakistan with food festivals and concerts happening simultaneously so the economy of the nation grows quickly.
"I shared a financial model with Naqvi sir. I want them to have 50 teams in the tournament, not five teams. I told him to start PSL Qualifiers - PSL part 2 or PSL 2.0 - 8 teams from every region and there should be 8 regions as well. We can start one by one, then within three years, we can launch eight regions," Shoaib Akhtar said. [13:57 onwards]
Lastly, Akhtar hoped that PCB would follow his suggestion but also clarified that he had no interest in working for the board.
"I have given them a whole business model. I hope they apply, but I'm no longer interested in working with PCB. I have never asked for a job anyways. I have never worked in PCB, but people are scared of me," the Rawalpindi Express concluded.
It will be interesting to see if PSL 2.0 idea gets implemented. PSL 2025 will clash with IPL next April, which is why several overseas stars will miss the tournament in Pakistan.