Karachi [Pakistan], April 9: With the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) set to kick off amid a scheduling clash with the Indian Premier League (IPL), Pakistani fast bowler Hasan Ali made a striking remark, suggesting fans could choose PSL over the IPL if players deliver quality performances.
The PSL, traditionally held between February and March, has been rescheduled to April-May this year due to Pakistan’s packed international commitments. This shift has resulted in an overlap with the ongoing 18th edition of the IPL — widely regarded as the most popular T20 tournament in the world.
Despite the competition, Hasan expressed confidence in PSL’s ability to captivate audiences. “Fans watch the tournament where there’s good cricket and entertainment. If we play well in the PSL, viewers will leave the IPL to watch us,” he told reporters, as quoted by Geo News ahead of the PSL opener on Friday.
Hasan, representing the Karachi Kings this season, also weighed in on Pakistan’s recent struggles in international cricket. He acknowledged that Pakistan’s poor performance, including a disappointing group-stage exit in the Champions Trophy and back-to-back losses in New Zealand, has impacted the domestic league’s appeal.
“When the national team doesn’t perform well, it impacts franchise leagues like the PSL. But when Pakistan do well, the PSL’s graph also rises,” Hasan remarked.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has since focused on long-term planning, building towards the T20 World Cup 2026 and ODI World Cup 2027 with a mix of seasoned players and fresh faces. Hasan emphasized patience, saying, “The current results aren’t great, but we have new talent and management who need time. The players are aware of their shortcomings and are working on improvement.”
With the PSL set to begin this Friday, all eyes will be on whether Pakistan’s premier league can live up to Hasan Ali’s bold prediction.