Legendary Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram has taken a sly dig at the Indian Premier League (IPL) and other T20 leagues around the world due to their lengthy schedule compared to the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
During the PSL event, Akram made light remarks about the extended duration of the IPL, joking that the tournament “never ends” and joking that children grow up while the league is still going on. Contrasted IPL schedule for two months and more with PSL compact, at a high rate that usually lasts a little over a month.
“The best thing about the league is that it only plays for about 34-35 days, maybe a little longer next year. It’s not three months like other leagues. Bacchey bade ho jate hain, woh league khatam hi nahi hoti (kids grow up but the league still doesn’t end). Foreign players when they come to Pakistan to play for two days rather than 4 and 3 4 and 3 for three months – that’s too much for everyone long time, even I get bored watching it for so long,” said Akram in the viral video.
He also mentioned how the Big Bash League (BBL) shortened its schedule after the first few years and hailed the PSL as the number one league in terms of talent.
“A prime example is the BBL. They started with two-and-a-half months. After four or five years, they realized it wasn’t working. Now their duration is about 40 days. That’s it. That’s the beauty of the PSL. Of course, the talent. Everyone overseas, when I talk to them, talk about bowling in the IPL and other leagues because we say the talent is definitely the PSL. Quality, not quantity,” he added.
Indian Premier League 2025 was held for 65 days and included 74 matches, while PSL 2025 lasted for 35 days and featured 34 matches. The number of matches in the IPL season will increase from the next cycle, as confirmed by chairman Arun Dhumal.
So far, none of the players have spoken publicly about the mental fatigue associated with the long IPL season, and the tournament continues to be the world’s premier cricket league and the second most valuable sports league in the world.
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Issued by:
Rishabh Beniwal
Published on:
December 9, 2025
