'PSL A Tiny League Shown As Big Event On TV': Rashid Latif Puts PCB To Shame On Comparison With IPL

PSL vs IPL (Source: BCCI/PCB)

Ask any cricketer which is the best T20 league in the world, and he'll have little hesitation in picking IPL over any other tournament. IPL is not only about competitive cricket, but it's a complete package that is rewarding for all the stakeholders involved, including the players, franchises, broadcasters, etc.

Barring the staggering paycheques, IPL also provides a platform for raw talent to rub shoulders with the best cricketers. Given the tremendous success of IPL, many countries started their own T20 leagues, but none were able to challenge the supremacy of IPL.

Among all, the Pakistan Super League ( PSL ) has the biggest following after the IPL, with the craze of cricket in the country being the biggest reason for the sharp rise in popularity. Despite it being a high-profile tournament, PSL failed to rope in top international talents who have reserved themselves for IPL. Many big names do take part in PSL, but they are mostly unsold players in IPL and retired internationals.

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif reflected on the IPL vs PSL debate and declared IPL a winner by a long margin. He said that IPL is a brand, while PSL is just a small domestic league shown like a big event on live TV.

"They (IPL) took the brand to greater heights. Even the Big Bash League, which does not earn much, is stable, nevertheless. It (PSL) is just a small domestic event, that's all. We're just showing it as a big event on TV, but if you remove that camera lens, it's just tiny," Latif said on Geo Podcast.

Latif highlighted the lack of money flow in the PSL, saying that even the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has more international quality that the PSL. He said the PSL, which used to call itself the second-best league, has slipped to sixth.

"Bangladesh is paying more, so the players are headed there. Then there is The Hundred, South Africa T20, ILT20. These four leagues have overtaken you (PSL). Then, there is a separate league in the West Indies. So, Pakistan's league, which used to claim to be the second-best, is in the sixth position now."

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