Rashid Latif Comments on the IPL vs PSL Debate

Rashid Latif has expressed that there is no viable comparison between the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL), asserting that the IPL is recognized as the premier league in cricket, whereas the PSL does not even rank among the top five. He believes that the absence of Pakistani players in the IPL has significantly stunted their growth and development. “When it comes to IPL vs PSL, there’s simply no comparison,” he conveyed from Islamabad to TimesofIndia.com.

The former Pakistan captain, who represented his country in 37 Test matches and 166 One Day Internationals (ODIs), pointed to the advancements made by cricketers from Afghanistan and New Zealand. He cited their participation in the IPL as a crucial factor for their success. “Afghanistan cricket has progressed to this level due to the IPL. While they have improved the grassroots level, the IPL has provided vital exposure,” he said. He also highlighted that many key New Zealand players gained experience in the IPL, pointing out the depths of their team, which saw them outplay a full-strength Pakistan side recently.

“Pakistani cricketers are stagnating in their progress. Had they been part of the IPL, their skills might have evolved,” Latif remarked. He noted that the current series against teams like Bangladesh, West Indies, and Ireland, although not to belittle them, sees Pakistan frequently struggling against stronger teams. Recent defeats to Ireland and the USA, alongside a disappointing T20 World Cup exit, indicate troubling trends for the team.

PSL Ownership Disputes

In a related issue, Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal recently took issue with Multan Sultans’ Ali Tareen, who publicly criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for not delivering on promises to make the PSL “bigger and better.” Tareen questioned the validity of these claims, wondering how the PSL could reach those heights when the structure remained unchanged. In response, Iqbal defended the league’s growth amidst skepticism from both Indian critics and local media, expressing disappointment over Tareen’s public disapproval.

Rashid Latif commented on the ongoing disputes among PSL owners, suggesting that the PCB plays a role in this discord. “This will be the last PSL under the current franchise agreements, which opens room for new bids and the addition of new teams. Current franchise owners may be trying to devalue the PSL to gain their teams at a lower cost,” he stated.

Declining Trajectory of PSL

Latif pointed out various factors contributing to the decline of the PSL over the past two years, both in terms of quality and finances. He noted that the initial years of the PSL were marked by high standards and strong player participation. However, he suggested that the decline began after the fourth season, partially due to instability and frequent leadership changes within the PCB, which led to unprofessional management. He criticized the lack of player remuneration increases, despite the league’s revenue potential.

Additionally, Latif blamed the rise of other leagues like the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and South Africa’s T20 leagues, which have overshadowed the PSL, suggesting that while the PSL was once viewed as the second-best league globally, it has now slipped to sixth or seventh place.

The tenth season of the PSL is set to kick off on Friday with its opening match between Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars in Rawalpindi, as hopes remain high for the league’s recovery and resurgence.