Rashid Latif on IPL vs PSL debate: ‘PSL not even in top-five leagues’

Captains of the PSL teams strike a pose with the trophy. (PSL | X)

Rashid Latif has stated that there is no comparison between the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL), as the former is considered the top league in cricket, while the latter is not even among the top five. The former Pakistan captain believes that the exclusion of Pakistani players from the IPL has hindered their development.
“IPL vs PSL – There is no comparison,” he told TimesofIndia.com from Islamabad.

Rashid Latif, who played 37 Tests and 166 ODIs for Pakistan, highlighted the progress of Afghanistan and New Zealand cricketers, attributing their success to their participation in the IPL.
“Afghanistan cricket has reached this level because of the IPL. They have worked hard on their grassroots, but playing in the IPL has given them crucial exposure. The same applies to New Zealand cricket. Look at their depth; many of their key players were in the IPL, and their second-string team defeated our full-strength Pakistan side in the ODIs,” said the former Pakistan skipper.
“Pakistan cricketers are not evolving. If they had played in the IPL, their game might have improved.”
“Currently, they are playing against Bangladesh, West Indies, and Ireland. With no disrespect to these teams, they consistently lose miserably against stronger opponents.”

In the past year, Pakistan has suffered embarrassing losses to Ireland and the USA, resulting in a dramatic group-stage exit from the T20 World Cup, endured a 2-0 home whitewash by Bangladesh, finished at the bottom of the World Test Championship (WTC) table, and were eliminated from the home Champions Trophy in the group stage.
PSL owners’ disputes
Earlier this week, Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal criticised Multan Sultans’ counterpart Ali Tareen, who had accused the PCB of failing to deliver on promises of a “bigger and better” PSL.
“How is PSL 10 bigger and better? Someone explain to me. When we say these hollow words that this is going to be the best PSL, what does that even mean? How will it be the best PSL? It’s the same games, same teams,” Ali Tareen stated on a Cricwick podcast.
Responding to Tareen’s comments, Salman Iqbal, owner of Karachi Kings, said, “Since the start of PSL, many doubted us, critics from India and even some local tv channels. But what truly hurts is when one of our own, a team owner, chooses to publicly ridicule and disrespect this league despite its continuous growth.”

Rashid Latif suggested that the PCB has a role to play in this infighting among the PSL owners.
“This is the last PSL under the current franchise agreements. New bids will be held, and two new teams will join PSL 11. The current team owners want to devalue the PSL to acquire it at a lower cost. They want to reclaim their teams cheaply. This is a possibility.
“The PCB also desires this. They don’t want to damage the PSL’s market because the owners and the authority are aligned.”
Decline of PSL
Latif also pointed out the reasons for the PSL’s decline. “In the last two years, the PSL’s graph has declined – both in quality and financially.
“The PSL’s first four years were excellent. The cricket was good. Top players participated, and the production and broadcasting were of high quality.

“The downward trend began from the fifth season, possibly due to instability within the PCB, with numerous PSL directors being replaced. Many of those appointed were unprofessional. To date, no cricketer has been given the authority to manage the PSL.
“In their draft – platinum, diamond, gold, silver, and emerging – there has been no increase in player remuneration. This was a significant error. They should have increased the pay, as all franchises are generating substantial revenue.
“The resurgence of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and the Lankan league, along with the emergence of SA20, MLC, and ILT20, has also negatively impacted us. The PSL was once the second-best league globally but has now dropped to sixth or seventh. There was no contingency plan. The PCB failed to capitalise on the PSL’s potential as a product.
“Take the IPL as an example. Despite its challenges, it has consistently grown larger and more successful. This is primarily due to professional management. The PSL has regressed into a local tournament. It could have achieved greater heights, but its potential has been squandered.”
The 10th edition of the PSL will commence on Friday with a fixture between Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars in Rawalpindi.