Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali made headlines with his remarks about Pakistan Super League (PSL) potentially drawing viewers away from Indian Premier League (IPL), as both tournaments are scheduled to run simultaneously in April-May. The PSL, which has traditionally taken place in February-March, was rescheduled due to Pakistan’s packed international calendar.
The scheduling change has led to PSL’s 10th edition clashing with IPL’s 18th season, creating a unique situation for cricket viewers globally.
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“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 told reporters, as per Geo News, ahead of the PSL opener.
Hasan Ali, who will play for Karachi Kings in PSL, also addressed Pakistan’s recent struggles in international cricket, particularly their disappointing performance in various tournaments.
Pakistan’s cricket team faced significant setbacks, starting with their early exit from the Champions Trophy under Mohammad Rizwan’s leadership, where they lost to both New Zealand and India in the group stage.
Following the Champions Trophy disappointment, the Pakistan Cricket Board initiated plans focusing on the T20 World Cup 2026 and ODI World Cup 2027.
The team’s challenges continued during their New Zealand tour, where they suffered a 4-1 defeat in the T20I series despite introducing new players alongside experienced ones.
The ODI series against New Zealand proved equally challenging, with Pakistan suffering a 3-0 whitewash despite the return of key players Rizwan and Babar Azam, who had missed the T20I series.
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“When the national team doesn’t perform well, it impacts franchise leagues like the PSL,” Hassan said. “But when Pakistan do well, the PSL’s graph also rises.”
Hasan expressed optimism about the team’s future despite recent setbacks. “The current results aren’t great, but we have fresh faces in the team and also in management who need time. The players know where they went wrong and where to improve,” he said.
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