NEW DELHI: Veteran Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad has launched a sharp critique of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), placing the Indian Premier League (IPL) far above Pakistan’s premier T20 competition in terms of stature, influence, and financial power. In a candid commentary, Shehzad highlighted a recurring trend where overseas players commit to the PSL but ultimately choose the IPL when presented with better financial offers — a dynamic he believes is undermining the credibility and long-term growth of the PSL.

'IPL se better offer mila aur woh chale gaye'

"Ek taraf duniya ki sabse powerful, ameer league IPL hai, aur doosri taraf Pakistan Super League - PSL," Shehzad said. "Aaj baat karte hain ki kyun bahut saare players PSL ke saath contract hone ke bawajood IPL mein khelte hue nazar aate hain. Players commitment dete hain ki woh PSL mein khelenge, lekin baad mein kai dafa dekha gaya hai ki wahi players IPL choose kar lete hain. Is par baat karni zaroori hai."

He emphasized that the issue extends beyond mere player preferences and directly impacts the structure and future of Pakistan cricket. "Kyuki yeh matter karta hai. Pakistan ki team bhi isi system par depend karti hai. Isliye is par baat karna zaroori hai - kyuki mulk ka maamla hai," he added, underscoring the national significance of a strong domestic T20 league.

High-Profile Withdrawals Raise Concerns

Shehzad cited several high-profile examples of players backing out of PSL commitments after securing IPL deals. "Har dafa ki tarah, is baar bhi lagbhag 45 bade naamon ne PSL ke liye commitment diya, lekin woh aaye hi nahi," he stated.

Among those named were Sri Lanka's Dasun Shanaka and Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai. "Aap Dasun Shanaka ko dekh lijiye — Sri Lanka aur Pakistan ke relations acche hone ke bawajood, unhe IPL se better offer mila aur woh udhar chale gaye," said Shehzad. "Phir Azmatullah Omarzai jaise players, jo kisi bhi team ke liye asset hote, woh bhi chale gaye. South African players ne bhi commitment diya, lekin baad mein pull out kar gaye. Abhi bhi kai players hain jinke upar question mark hai - aayenge ya nahi. "

IPL’s Global Expansion Undermining Rivals

The former Pakistan international linked the PSL’s declining relevance to the IPL’s expanding global footprint, driven by Indian franchise owners investing in T20 leagues worldwide. "Yahi wajah hai ki PSL ka graph neeche ja raha hai. Competition bahut zyada badh gaya hai," Shehzad observed.

"IPL ab sirf India tak limited nahi hai. Indian franchise owners ne duniya bhar ki leagues mein apni jagah bana li hai. Har league mein unki teams hain. Itna hi nahi, kuch players ne paison ke chalte international cricket se retirement tak le liya, taaki woh franchise leagues ke liye loyal reh sakein," he said, citing Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, and even Jos Buttler as examples of players prioritizing franchise cricket over international duties.

As the IPL continues to consolidate its position as the epicenter of global T20 cricket, Shehzad’s comments reflect growing unease within the cricketing fraternity about the ability of leagues like the PSL to compete on equal footing — both financially and in terms of visibility.