Former Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has criticised the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) approach towards players opting to join the Indian Premier League (IPL), urging the league to focus on its larger positioning rather than imposing bans.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Shehzad said that banning players for switching leagues is not the right solution, especially in the current landscape where the IPL continues to attract top global talent.
“Rather than getting hung up on who we have or haven’t banned, we should focus on the bigger picture,” Shehzad said, adding that the PSL must acknowledge the reality of its standing in comparison to the IPL.
He argued that the PSL currently features players who are no longer part of the IPL ecosystem or do not hold contracts in the tournament.
“For the most part, the players you have are those who have retired from the IPL or whose prospects there have run their course,” he said, citing names like David Warner and Steve Smith.
Shehzad also questioned claims that the PSL is “bigger and better” than the IPL, suggesting that players would still prioritise the Indian league if given the choice.
“Let’s be honest, any player with a viable opportunity would choose the IPL,” he added.
His comments come in the backdrop of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) taking a firm stance against players withdrawing from PSL commitments to participate in the IPL.
Recently, the PCB handed a two-year ban to Blessing Muzarabani after the fast bowler pulled out of his PSL contract with Islamabad United to join Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2026.
In a statement, the board said Muzarabani had disregarded his contractual obligations despite agreeing to the terms earlier.
Other players, including Spencer Johnson and Dasun Shanaka, have also withdrawn from PSL deals to feature in the IPL and could face similar sanctions.
Shehzad, however, backed the PCB’s handling of the Muzarabani case, saying the board had acted correctly in that instance but should avoid making bans the focal point of its strategy.
Instead, he stressed that the PSL must focus on strengthening its product and global appeal.
As the battle for player availability between leagues intensifies, Shehzad’s remarks underline a broader debate about the PSL’s position in the global T20 ecosystem and the challenges it faces in competing with the IPL’s financial and sporting pull.
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