Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has stated that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set to overtake the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the top cricket league worldwide. Both leagues are very popular in Asia, along with several new leagues emerging globally.
During a Board of Governors meeting in Lahore, Naqvi pointed out the increasing investor interest as proof of PSL’s growth. He noted that the league is now a strong investment opportunity and expressed confidence that PSL will eventually become one of the best cricket leagues in the world.
“The PSL has now become the best market for investment. The time is not far when the PSL will become the world’s number one league,” Naqvi said during the board meeting, as reported by Gulf News.
The PCB also approved its financial statements for 2024-25, indicating good stability off the field. The franchise auction attracted a lot of attention, with record bids as the PSL expanded from six to eight teams, adding new franchises from Sialkot and Hyderabad.
OZ Developers won the Sialkot franchise for PKR 1.85 billion, naming it Sialkot Stallionz, while FKS Group acquired the Hyderabad team for PKR 1.75 billion, calling it Hyderabad Kingsmen.
Despite the success of the auction, challenges persist. PSL 2026 will take place with matches held behind closed doors in Lahore and Karachi due to the country’s fuel crisis. In contrast, the IPL continues to operate in multiple cities with full stadiums and a vast global audience, having started in 2008 to PSL’s 2016 launch.
The PSL also struggles to attract top International players. While some players not picked in the IPL join the PSL, IPL franchises often sign them as replacements even during the season. Financially, IPL contracts greatly exceed those of the PSL, with a single IPL deal sometimes equal to an entire PSL team’s budget. Notably, this season has seen players like Blessing Muzarabani, Dasun Shanaka, and Spencer Johnson choosing the IPL over the PSL, despite initially considering PSL engagements.