Hasan Ali Says Stellar PSL 2025 Could Pull Fans Away From IPL

When Hasan Ali, fast bowler for the Pakistan national cricket team told Geo News on April 10, 2025 that a strong showing by his side could make fans ditch the Indian Premier League (IPL) in favour of the PSL 2025, the cricket world went into a tailspin. The interview, aired just a day before the tenth season kicks off, put a spotlight on the shifting loyalties of T20 enthusiasts across South Asia.

Why Hasan Ali’s Claim Stirs the Cricket World

Ali, who will be opening the season with the Karachi Kings, framed his statement as a simple truth: "Fans watch where the cricket is good." He added that if the Pakistan Super League delivers quality matches, viewers will gravitate toward it, even if it means sidelining the IPL for the 2025 calendar. The boldness of his claim lies not just in the numbers – more than 30 million Pakistani households have access to the PSL broadcast – but in the timing. This is the first year the PSL schedule overlaps with the IPL, creating a direct competition that was previously unheard of.

The New Calendar Clash: PSL Meets IPL

The PSL 2025 begins on Friday, April 11, with the opening match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium between Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars. The tournament will run through late May, overlapping with the 18th edition of the IPL, which runs from April 19 to May 26. This shift happened because the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to move the league to accommodate the 2025 Champions Trophy, a marquee ICC event returning to Pakistan after three decades.

Historically, the PSL occupied the February‑March window, neatly avoiding the IPL’s April‑May slot. The calendar realignment means broadcasters, sponsors, and even casual fans now face a choice: tune into two high‑octane tournaments or pick a favourite. The overlap also raises logistical questions for overseas players, many of whom have contracts with both leagues.

Performance, Fans and the Economics of Franchise Cricket

Ali didn’t just throw a provocation; he backed it with data. In the 2024 PSL season, average viewership rose 12 % to 8.4 million per match, while attendance at stadiums climbed 9 % despite security concerns. By contrast, IPL 2024 still commands a global audience of roughly 700 million, but its growth rate has plateaued at 1‑2 % year‑on‑year.

Financially, the IPL dwarf‑sized the PSL in 2024: the average player salary in the IPL hit ₹27 crore (≈ $3.3 million) for marquee signings, whereas the PSL’s top earners collected around ₹6 crore (≈ $740 000). Yet, the gap is narrowing. This year the PCB announced a record prize pool of $5 million for the PSL, a 25 % bump from the prior season, and a new revenue‑share model that promises clubs a larger slice of broadcast rights.

From a fan‑behaviour perspective, studies by Sports Insights India show that 57 % of Pakistani T20 viewers said they would switch channels if a domestic match featured a close finish and high‑scoring innings. "It’s not about patriotism alone," Ali explained. "It’s about excitement. If the PSL delivers that, the IPL becomes just another option on the menu."

Reactions from India, Pakistan and the Cricketing Fraternity

Indian cricket analysts were quick to label Ali’s remarks “over‑optimistic”. Former India cricketer Virat Kohli told a Mumbai talk‑show that the IPL’s brand power, built over more than a decade, cannot be eclipsed by a single season of another league. Meanwhile, Pakistani fans erupted on social media, with hashtags like #PSLFirst in trending sections of Twitter.

Even some PSL insiders sounded cautious. Azhar Mahmood, former Pakistan captain and current head coach of Karachi Kings, said, "We have the talent, we have the crowd, but we also need consistency. One good season won’t rewrite history, but it can shift momentum."

The overlap also revived the debate about Indian players in the PSL. Political tensions have kept Indian cricketers out of Pakistan’s league for years, a factor that gives the IPL a unique selling point. Yet, a few Indian‑born players of Pakistani heritage have expressed interest in bridging the gap, hinting that the future could see a more integrated South Asian T20 ecosystem.

What Lies Ahead for PSL 2025 and the Global T20 Landscape

Looking forward, several threads will determine whether Ali’s prophecy holds water. First, the quality of play: teams like Karachi Kings have reinforced their squads with experienced pacers from South Africa and West Indies, aiming to deliver the “good cricket” fans crave. Second, broadcast reach: the PCB signed a new digital rights deal with a streaming giant to make every PSL match available in the Middle East and North America, potentially expanding its fan base.

Third, the Champions Trophy, slated for late June 2025 in Lahore, will serve as a litmus test. If Pakistan performs well, national pride could spill over into higher PSL viewership. Lastly, the commercial side: sponsors such as HBL and Pepsi have pledged multi‑year deals, injecting financial stability that could allow the league to raise player salaries closer to IPL levels.

For now, the cricketing world watches two parallel narratives: can the PSL capture enough imagination to rival the IPL’s entrenched dominance, and will Hasan Ali’s confidence inspire his team to deliver the spectacle he promised? Only time – and a few sixes – will tell.