Ex-Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad has taken aim at the PSL for its handling of players moving to the IPL, urging the league to focus on growth and positioning rather than relying on bans.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Shehzad argued that penalising players for moving to other leagues is not the right approach, particularly as the IPL continues to attract some of the world’s best talent.
“Instead of worrying about who is banned or not, we should concentrate on the bigger picture,” Shehzad said, adding that the PSL needs to be realistic about its position compared to the IPL.
He noted that many players currently in the PSL are either no longer active in the IPL or do not have IPL contracts.
“Mostly, the players in the PSL are those who have retired from the IPL or whose opportunities there have ended,” he said, mentioning players like David Warner and Steve Smith.
Shehzad also challenged claims that the PSL is “bigger and better” than the IPL, stating that players would still prioritise the Indian league if given the opportunity.
“Honestly, any player who has a real chance would pick the IPL,” he added.
📢 Ahmed Shehzad brutally owned PSL:
You only have players left in the PSL who have either retired from the IPL, gone unsold in the IPL, or have no future in the IPL, like David Warner and Steve Smith. If any current player has a chance to play, they will choose the IPL. So how… pic.twitter.com/2GTSopxZPA
— TEJASH (@Tejashyyyyy) April 14, 2026
His remarks come after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took strict action against players who pulled out of PSL commitments to play in the IPL. Recently, Blessing Muzarabani received a two-year ban after withdrawing from his contract with Islamabad United to join Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2026. The PCB said Muzarabani had violated his contractual agreement.
Other players, including Spencer Johnson and Dasun Shanaka, have also left PSL contracts to play in the IPL and may face similar consequences.
While Shehzad supported the PCB’s decision against Muzarabani, he emphasised that bans should not become the central strategy for the league. He encouraged the PSL to focus on enhancing its product, attracting top talent, and boosting its international reputation.
With competition for players between leagues increasing, Shehzad’s comments highlight the challenges the PSL faces in carving out its position in the global T20 landscape, especially against the IPL’s financial and sporting appeal.
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