The schedules of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Indian Premier League (IPL) are set to clash, creating significant concerns over player availability for both tournaments.
This year, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to schedule the PSL in April, which coincides with the ICC Champions Trophy and the highly profitable IPL, creating direct competition between the two leagues. Many high-profile players, enticed by the financial rewards of the IPL, have already committed to playing in India. As a result, apart from a few major names, most international players are expected to prioritize the IPL over the PSL, which kicks off on April 7. Notably, star players from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh are also likely to choose the IPL over the PSL.
The PSL has revealed its foreign players list for the 10th season, fueling excitement among fans. Key Australian players such as Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood, and Daniel Sams, along with England’s Joe Root, Adil Rashid, and Alex Hales, will feature in the tournament. From New Zealand, Tim Southee and Finn Allen are among the big names, while South Africa will be represented by Rassie van der Dussen and Tabraiz Shamsi.
The IPL, which holds immense financial clout, secured broadcasting rights worth $6.2 billion for the period from 2022 to 2027. This deal, backed by wealthy Indian business tycoons and Bollywood stars, has elevated the IPL’s brand value to around $10.7 billion. In contrast, the PSL, while growing, sold its media rights for 2024 and 2025 for Rs 6.3 billion, with its brand value estimated at approximately $330 million.
As the PSL prepares for its highly anticipated 2025 draft in January, the IPL’s established dominance in the global market is evident. The IPL, founded in 2008, has allowed franchise owners full control over their teams since 2018, while the PSL’s six franchises remain under the control of the PCB. Despite this, some PSL franchise owners have expressed dissatisfaction, noting that after nine years, they have yet to see significant profits, partly due to the rising exchange rate, which has seen the value of the Pakistani rupee drop from Rs 106 to Rs 275 per dollar since the league’s inception.
Each PSL franchise contributes approximately Rs 8.75 million to the PCB annually, with the league’s most expensive players earning up to Rs 700 million in the platinum category. The ongoing political tension between India and Pakistan, which has prevented bilateral cricket matches, is perceived as a strategy to financially weaken the PCB. However, the PSL has continued to thrive, offering Pakistan a platform to showcase its talent and alleviate some financial pressure.
While foreign players in leagues such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have faced payment delays, the PSL has largely avoided such issues, adding to the league’s reputation for solid administration.
