Hasan Ali: PSL can draw fans away from IPL with quality cricket

Dubai: Two of the world’s biggest T20 leagues are about to go head-to-head — and Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali is betting on his own. As the Pakistan Super League 10 begins on Friday in Rawalpindi, running parallel to the Indian Premier League, Hasan believes the PSL can win over fans if it delivers on quality and excitement.

The teams are primed and ready, and this year cricket fans are in for a double treat, with both the Pakistan Super League and Indian Premier League taking place at the same time.

The six-team PSL, which usually runs between February and March, was postponed this year due to the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. It will now conclude on May 18, while the IPL final is scheduled for May 25 in Kolkata.

Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali is confident that PSL 10 can hold its own against the IPL — as long as it delivers on quality.

“Fans watch the tournament where there’s good cricket with entertainment. If we play well in the PSL, viewers will leave the IPL to watch us,” Hasan said, speaking to reporters ahead of the PSL 10 opener, as quoted by Geo News.

After Pakistan’s dismal showing in the Champions Trophy — where they failed to win a single match — PSL 10 has taken on added significance, both as a platform for new champions and as a stepping stone to rebuild the national side across formats.

During Pakistan’s white-ball tour of New Zealand, the team lost the Twenty20 series 4-1 and were swept 3-0 in the One-Day Internationals, despite the return of senior players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

“When the national team doesn’t perform well, it impacts franchise leagues like the PSL,” said Hasan, who plays for Karachi Kings. “But when Pakistan do well, the PSL’s graph also rises.”

Still, he believes the younger players are bringing new energy to the squad and will soon start producing results. The PSL, he added, plays a vital role in their development by giving them a chance to share the dressing room with top professionals. “Performing in the PSL grabs the attention of selectors and management — there’s no doubt about that.”

Hasan is also aiming to reclaim his spot in the Pakistan national team, and the Karachi pacer is keen to start strong when his side face Multan Sultans in their season opener.

“I recently performed well in the National T20 Cup and will try to keep that momentum. This PSL is important for me as I aim to make a comeback to the national team and as Karachi Kings team, we will do our best to bring Karachi cricket fans back to the stadium.”

While Pakistan will be hoping PSL 10 produces talent ready for the 2026 Twenty20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, and the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, fans will be spoilt for choice this season. With the IPL — the world’s richest franchise league — in full swing as well, there will be no shortage of high-octane cricket to keep evenings busy.