Ahmed Shehzad (Image credit: Agencies) NEW DELHI: Veteran Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shehzad has launched a scathing criticism of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), placing the Indian Premier League far above Pakistan’s premier T20 competition. Shehzad pointed out how several overseas players continue to commit to the PSL but eventually opt for the IPL when better offers come their way – a trend he says is hurting Pakistan’s premier T20 competition.
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IPL 2026: Mukesh Kumar on Shami’s impact and India’s comeback plans“One side is the most powerful and richest IPL league in the world and the other side is the Pakistan Super League – PSL. Today we are talking about why many players are seen playing in the IPL despite having a contract with the PSL. The players pledged to play in the PSL, but later it turned out that the same players are choosing the IPL. It is important to talk about this. Where is the graph, how fast PSL all went up and then how fast it went down? (On one side is the IPL – the most powerful and richest league in the world – and on the other hand the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Today we will discuss why many players, despite having PSL contracts, end up playing in the IPL),” said Shehzad.Shehzad, who played 13 Tests, 81 ODIs and 59 T20Is for Pakistan between 2009 and 2019, stressed that the problem goes beyond just league dynamics and directly affects Pakistan cricket as a whole.“Because it matters. The Pakistan team also depends on this system. That’s why it’s important to talk about it – because it’s a matter of the country. Then what do the players think in the stadium? Do they really want to play or not? Do they just get financial benefits or do they have bigger benefits? (Because it matters. The Pakistan national team depends on this system. So this discussion is necessary – it’s necessary – it’s about the players’ thoughts outside the country. PSL? It’s about the players benefiting only the country). profits?The former Pakistan batsman also cited several examples of notable withdrawals, including Dasun Shanaka and Azmatullah Omarzai.“Like every time, almost 45 big names committed to PSL this time but they didn’t come. Look at Dasun Shanaka – despite Sri Lanka and Pakistan having a good relationship, they got better offers from IPL and went there. Then players like Azmatullah Omarzai who would be an asset to any team left. South African players also committed like every year but this year the big players from South Africa committed to PSL.(Li. Take Dasun Shanak for example – despite the strong cricketing ties between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, players like Azmatullah Omarzai who could have been key assets have opted out even now, whose participation remains uncertain.According to Shehzad, the downward trajectory of the PSL is closely linked to the expanding global footprint of the IPL and its franchise ecosystem.“Here it shows that PSL chart is going down. Competition has increased a lot. IPL is not limited to India anymore. Indian franchise owners have made their place in leagues all over the world. They have their teams in every league. Not only that, some players have left international cricket because of money to stay loyal to franchise leagues, Poieronard, You see, Nicholas, Rusll Rusll, Nicholasell. This is all part of the trend and players like Jos Buttler are also focusing more on franchise cricket (which is exactly why the PSL chart is going down. The IPL is no longer limited to India – Indian franchise owners now have stakes in leagues all over the world. Players like Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Andre Jojossell and even players are increasingly targeting this route.
