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Delhi: A few days ago, Pakistan Cricket Board wrote in one of its releases: ‘Another wicket of IPL has fallen. After Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali also ready to play PSL. It is clear from their statement that the Pakistan Cricket Board is considering the inclusion of these retired cricketers (who are almost out of the IPL scheme) in PSL as a big achievement.

Reason for joining PSL

Along with this, when the list of 1355 players was released for the IPL mini-auction, names like Glenn Maxwell, Moeen Ali and Faf du Plessis were missing in it. Now due to the conflict in the windows of IPL and PSL, players are left with the option of choosing one of the two. The names of Kane Williamson and David Warner can also be added to this list. These seniors chose PSL. This is an achievement in the eyes of Pakistan Cricket Board, but is it true?

The equation between IPL and PSL is changing because PSL has now become the new support for the old players like Faf and Moeen who are opting out of IPL (and let us assume that their chances of being sold are almost gone).

Welcome old players to PSL

Over the past two seasons, the PSL has quietly become a lifeline for the dying careers of those who were once big names in the IPL, with the windows of these two tournaments clashing. Faf du Plessis is a very good example to understand this change. Delhi Capitals released him for his mediocre performance in the 2025 season and Faf feared that no one would buy him in the 2026 IPL mini-auction so he opted for the PSL. Moeen Ali also did the same. Entered the PSL draft and did not register for the IPL 2026 auction. PSL also became a support for him in this last phase of his career.

David Warner, one of the all-time great openers of IPL, remained unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction. The result was welcomed by PSL, selected by Karachi Kings and even made him captain. He became the most expensive player of PSL 2025 when no one was buying in IPL. Williamson was once the top cricketer of IPL but when he remained unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, he was taken by Karachi Kings in the supplementary round of PSL 2025 draft.

In this way, if we look more closely at the list of players rejected from IPL going to PSL, the names of Josh Little and Mohammad Nabi will also be added to it. The pattern is clear: PSL welcomes all those whose profile mentions IPL. They are even saying that now Maxwell will also go to PSL?

Many players have left Pakistani league

In all these examples, the only players are those who are IPL rejects. New players are not following this line. South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch was selected by Peshawar Zalmi as a diamond pick in PSL 2025, but as soon as he got the offer of ‘replacement deal’ from Mumbai Indians, he left the PSL contract without any delay. Even though PSL banned it for one year, what difference did it make? New players choose IPL and not PSL.

Mitchell Owen was in Peshawar Zalmi but when he got the offer, he went to Punjab Kings to replace the injured Glenn Maxwell. This is what New Zealand seamer Kyle Jamieson did. Kusal Mendis went even further than this. Started playing for Quetta Gladiators in PSL 2025 but left the tournament midway due to safety issues. A few hours later, he replaced Jos Buttler in the Gujarat Titans team for the IPL playoffs. All these examples are a clear indication that today’s players consider which league is a bigger platform?

Therefore, those who are going to PSL at the last stage of their career, when the doors of IPL are closed, then why should their departure be appreciated?