Pakistan veteran cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has taken a strong stance against the constant comparisons between the IPL and PSL, calling them unnecessary and misleading. The veteran Pakistan cricketer, who went unsold in the PSL 2026 draft, pointed out that many overseas players featuring in the PSL are either retired from the IPL or failed to secure contracts there.
His comments came after Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis and South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw were asked by Pakistani journalists to compare their experiences in the two leagues. Shehzad appeared frustrated with the line of questioning, suggesting it puts players in an awkward position.
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Ahmed Shehzad on PSL vs IPL comparisons
He didn’t hold back while speaking on his YouTube channel, also criticising the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for penalising overseas players who withdraw from PSL commitments to participate in the IPL. According to Shehzad, players will naturally prioritise the IPL whenever they get the opportunity.
“The reality is that the players you’re seeing in the PSL are those who have either stepped away from the IPL, gone unsold there, or no longer have a future in that league,” he said, citing examples like David Warner and Steve Smith. “Anyone who still has a chance to play in the IPL will choose it. So how many players are you going to ban?”
Shehzad also questioned the nature of media interactions with PSL players. Referring to Kusal Mendis, he said it made little sense to repeatedly bring up his IPL stint while he is currently performing in the PSL.
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Ahmed Shehzad on Rilee Rossouw
He also mentioned Rilee Rossouw, noting that while there hasn’t been much discussion around his performances, his comments about the IPL grabbed attention. Rossouw had described the IPL as feeling more like a “movie,” while implying that the PSL offers more genuine cricket. Shehzad suggested such responses are influenced by the situation players find themselves in, as they are unlikely to praise a rival league while actively playing in another openly.