PSL better than IPL? Mohsin Naqvi’s big talk doesn’t survive basic facts

There’s confidence and then there’s complete detachment from reality. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi seems to have drifted into the latter after claiming that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is on track to become the world’s top franchise competition ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

His comments came at a time when PSL 2026 is being staged under desperate circumstances. Matches are being played behind closed doors at just two venues because of a fuel crisis in the country. Compare that to the IPL, which is being held across 12 cities with packed stadiums and is the major attraction globally. IPL began in 2008, while the first edition of the PSL held in 2016.

How IPL bullies PSL

Even on pure numbers, the gap isn’t just big, it’s embarrassing. The IPL’s media rights are valued at over $6 billion, while PSL’s deal sits at around $93 million. That is almost a 65 times difference. Annual revenues say the exact truth as well. IPL comfortably crosses the $1 billion mark every season, whereas PSL operates in the $50–60 million range. The overall valuation gap is even wider, with IPL touching roughly $18.5 billion and PSL hovering around $260 million.

IPL’s media rights generate roughly $13.4 million per match, while the entire four-year PSL deal is worth less than the revenue from seven IPL matches.

“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 a PCB Board of Governors meeting.

PSL with own issues in 2026

For starters, PSL is still struggling with massive issues this season. Lahore Qalandars were docked five runs in a match after Fakhar Zaman was found guilty of ball-tampering. He was handed a two-match ban, and even his appeal was rejected due to what officials described as “sufficient circumstantial evidence”.

Then came the off-field noise. Shaheen Afridi and Sikandar Raza were pulled up for bringing unauthorised visitors into the team hotel, with police terming it a breach. Naseem Shah was fined PKR 20 million for a social media post targeting a political figure. And yet, this is the same ecosystem being projected as the future No. 1.

Naqvi pointed to a successful franchise auction as proof of investor confidence. But investor interest alone doesn’t define a league’s success. The IPL’s strength lies in its ecosystem, as elite players, massive salaries, global sponsors, broadcast dominance, and a clear window that ensures the best players show up.

In contrast, PSL is anything but failing to attract the same level of active international stars. In fact, players who get unsold in the IPL play the Pakistan Super League. Many a time, when an IPL franchise wants a replacement, they pick a player irrespective of if he has a PSL contract or not. That player often ditches PSL for the cash-rich Indian league. Even financially, the highest PSL salaries don’t come close to IPL contracts. One IPL deal can match an entire PSL team budget.

There is nothing wrong with ambition. Every league wants to grow. But selling a dream that ignores ground realities does more harm than good.

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