PSL and IPL clash: Big players set to play in India

Since 2007, India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket matches, a political decision that seemingly aimed to financially harm Pakistan cricket. However, in 2016, Pakistan launched the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which not only reduced the financial burden but also attracted global stars, earning praise for the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) administrative abilities.

Foreign players in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka’s international leagues have complained about delayed payments, but in the first nine years of the PSL, there have been no such complaints. 

This year, due to the ICC Champions Trophy, the Pakistan Cricket Board decided to schedule the PSL in April, overlapping with the start of the financially attractive Indian Premier League (IPL). The lure of money in India has led numerous internationally renowned players to sign contracts, and many will miss out on playing in the PSL, which begins on April 7 next year. Several major players from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh will also be participating in the IPL instead of the PSL, drawn by the lucrative offers.

The most significant difference between the Pakistan and India leagues is seen in the media rights. The media rights for the IPL from 2022 to 2027 were sold for $6.2 billion (PKR 17.24 trillion), and with the involvement of billionaire Indian businessmen, major business houses, and Bollywood stars, the IPL’s brand value has soared to $10.7 billion (PKR 29.75 trillion).

In comparison, the PSL’s media rights have also seen significant growth. The PSL sold its media rights deal for 2024 and 2025 for PKR 6.3 billion. However, despite this progress, the PSL’s brand value is estimated to be around $33 million (PKR 9.18 billion).

The IPL, which started in 2008, granted franchise owners the rights after ten years. In contrast, the six PSL teams are still under the control of the PCB, and if any franchise refuses to continue their agreement after ten years, the PCB reserves the right to sell the franchise to someone else.

Franchise owners claim they still don't see much profit from the league after nine years. This is largely due to player payments being made in U.S. dollars. When the league began, one dollar was worth PKR 106, but now, it’s being exchanged for over PKR 275.

Each PSL franchise contributes about PKR 8.75 crore annually to the PCB, while the most expensive player in the league, in the platinum category, is paid approximately PKR 7 billion.