Hasan Ali gives roadmap of how PSL will beat IPL in terms of viewership

Pakistani pacer Hasan Ali confidently stated that fans would prefer watching the PSL over the IPL this summer, for its superior quality.

Hasan Ali gives roadmap of how PSL will beat IPL in terms of viewership

Pakistani pacer Hasan Ali expressed confidence in the PSL's ability to surpass IPL viewership. (via A Sports)

Pakistani pacer Hasan Ali boldly claimed that cricket viewers and fans would choose to watch the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) over the 2025 Indian Premier league (IPL). He confidently added that better cricket would help PSL gain numbers, over the IPL. 

The debate between the two biggest cricketing nations, India and Pakistan, over their respective leagues has been a long drawn out one. The IPL however, remains dominant, owing to its popularity and financial clout. IPL’s brand value is estimated to be around $10.7 billion, 33 times bigger that the PSL, at $300 million. In terms of viewership, the IPL garners close to 25 billion viewers, compared to PSL’s 115 million.

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In all aspects, the Pakistan Super League, which began in the year 2016, eight years after the IPL, remains way behind its Indian counterpart. The debate however, continues, with 2025 being a big year for both the competitions.

Both the T20 leagues will clash, as they are being hosted within the same yearly window. Traditionally held in February-March, the 2025 edition of the PSL had to be shifted to an April-May window, owing to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which was hosted by Pakistan.

Amid the ongoing IPL-PSL debate, Pakistani speedster Hasan Ali, expressed confidence that PSL can carve out its own space. Speaking ahead of the season opener, the 30-year-old exclaimed that fans watch leagues that offer quality cricket and entertainment. He boldly added that the PSL could attract viewers from the IPL, if all the teams start playing well, living up to the expectations. 

Only performance and entertainment grabs viewership. So if we perform well during the entire PSL, then viewers will leave IPL and watch us. It’s all depended on how PSL goes for us.

Hasan Ali on the PSL-IPL rivalry (H/T India Today)

Moreover, the 30-year-old 2017 Champions Trophy star also talked about the Pakistani national team’s recent displays at the international level, stating that the PSL would bring back the joy within the fans. He pointed to the relation between the national side and the franchise T20 league, while exclaiming that the two complement each other.

When the national team doesn’t perform well, it impacts franchise leagues like the PSL. But when Pakistan does well, the PSL’s graph also rises. We’ll try our best to make our fans happy.

Hasan Ali added

The Men in Green have struggled over the past few months, with their most recent setback being a humiliating white-ball series defeat to New Zealand. Pakistan lost the T20I series 4-1, and the ODI series, 3-0, promoting criticism from fans. Moreover, it followed an early group stage exit out of the 2025 Champions Trophy, which was the first ICC tournament hosted by Pakistan after 25 years.

Nonetheless, for Hasan Ali, who is seeking to make his way back into the Pakistani national team setup, the PSL will be very crucial. Ali is a part of Karachi Kings, led by Australian legend David Warner. The team features other big names, including Mohammad Nabi, Khushdil Shah, Adam Milne and Tim Seifert. 

PSL changes match timings to avoid overlapping with IPL, as new season gets underway on April 11

In an effort to avoid clashing with the Indian Premier League, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) authorities have decided to shift the match timings for the upcoming edition of the T20 league. The PSL and the IPL are being held in the same window for the first time. 

PSL schedule change IPL
PSL CEO Salman Naseer announced the change in timings of the PSL matches, to avoid clashing with the ISL. (via The Express)

The PSL management, hoping to avoid an airtime clash with the IPL, have decided to shift the start of the matches by an hour. PSL CEO Salman Naseer confirmed that the matches would begin at 20:00 hours, one hour after the IPL matches commenced at 19:00 hours. The new PSL season is set to begin on April 11, with defending champions Islamabad United taking on Lahore Qalandars in the opening game.

Meanwhile, Naseer, speaking ahead of the opening encounter, also stated that the 10th edition of the tournament would be a special one, with the organizers having arranged for a quality broadcast. He also added that two new teams could be added to the competition, next season.