IPL and PSL are taking place at the same time for the first time | Courtesy - PSL/AP/IPL
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- PSL 2025 will start on April 11
- The 2025 IPL is taking from March 22 to May 25
- PSL final is scheduled for May 18
Hours after Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali claimed that viewers would leave the Indian Premier League (IPL) to watch the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took a major move to prevent a clash of Pakistan's premier franchise cricket league from clashing with matches of the world's richest cricket league.
For those unversed, this is the first time in history that the PSL is taking place at the same time as the IPL. With the Champions Trophy taking place in PSL's usual window, the PCB decided to hold the league at the same time as the IPL instead of choosing a different window. The 10th edition of the Pakistan-based competition will start on Friday (April 11) with the final scheduled on May 18. Meanwhile, the 2025 IPL started on March 22, and the final will take place on May 2025 in Kolkata.
“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 GEO News.
PSL's Moves Move To Avoid IPL Clash
In order to ensure the matches are not completely clashing with each other, the PCB has decided to delay the match timing of PSL matches. Matches of the league will start at 8:00 PM PST (8:30 PM IST), one hour after IPL matches start at 7:00 PM PST (7:30 PM IST).
"It is not an ideal situation but we are confident that the PSL has its own fan base and will attract the usual eyeballs. The PSL has always produced quality competitive cricket and this year also we should see the same and cricket fans anywhere, at the end of the day, just want to see competitive, entertaining matches," said PSL CEO Salman Naseer in a podcast.
This situation led to PSL being played without some top players who have an IPL contract. However, they were able to avail the services of cricketers that went unsold in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction. The likes of David Warner and Kane Williamson will play the PSL for the first time.
With no other cricket taking place apart from the PSL, the league had the services of more players than their usual window when they are clashing with the Big Bash League (BBL), SA20, ILT20, Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), as well as international cricket.
There was a major controversy last month as Corbin Bosch joined Mumbai Indians as a replacement player for Lizaad Williams. Bosch entered the PSL draft after failing to get a bid in the IPL Auction and was purchased by Peshawar Zalmi in the diamond category.
As a result, Bosch withdrew from the PSL and was served a legal notice by PCB for breaching contractual obligations.
Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from IPL 2025,IPL Orange Cap, IPL Purple Cap, Most Sixes in IPL, Cricket, Sports and around the world.
