Veteran Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad has dismissed comparisons between the PSL and IPL, stating that overseas players featuring in the Pakistani league are either retired or went unsold during the IPL auction.
His remark came after Pakistani journalists recently asked foreign players and coaches—including Rilee Rossouw and Kusal Mendis—to compare the two leagues.
Rossouw famously stated the IPL feels "more of a movie" while the PSL is "real cricket," prompting backlash and debate. On the other hand, Mendis remained silent when asked if he regretted leaving the PSL for the IPL last year.
Shehzad criticized these comparisons, highlighting the IPL's superior competitiveness while also indicating that the PSL has become a "retired players" league.
Shehzad also slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for imposing bans on those overseas players who abandon their PSL contracts to join the IPL.
"The only players you have left in the PSL are those who retired from the IPL, went unsold in the IPL or have no IPL careers left in the IPL (David Warner, Steve Smith). Anyone at all who have a chance to play will only select the IPL. So how many more players you will ban?" Shehzad said on his YouTube channel.
Shehzad also addressed the bizarre questions asked to Mendis and Rossouw. "Kusal Mendis is playing, performing in PSL, and he is being asked questions like 'sir, last time you left and went to IPL, what do you think about that?' Look at what kind of questions they are asking," he added.
"Look at Rilee Rossouw - there is no clarity about his performances (in PSL), but he has made statements. And when he was asked about IPL - that what do you think about IPL - so while playing PSL, you obviously cannot praise IPL. So in that, he said, 'Oh, that is a Bollywood movie. The cricket is happening here in PSL'," he further remarked.
Notably, the PSL 2026 matches are being held behind closed doors due to serious fuel shortages and security issues in Pakistan, caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East. On the other hand. the IPL 2026 is operating with jam-packed, full-capacity crowds across India.
