PAK vs NZ: Danish Kaneria Refutes Mohammad Rizwan's Claim That Players Prefer PSL Over IPL

Pakistan National Cricket Team wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan recently made headlines with his claim that players around the world prefer to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) over the Indian Premier League (IPL). Former Pakistani spinner Danish Kaneria has now rubbished the claims.

IPL started back in 2008 and was instrumental in the further popularization of T20 cricket in India following the nation’s victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. It can also be argued that the league helped popularize T20 cricket all over the world.

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What cannot be argued is that IPL is the biggest cricket league in the world. It is among the top leagues in the world when it comes to viewership and media rights deals.

Also read: PAK vs NZ: “If They Continue To Work Hard…” – Misbah-ul-Haq Names Future Superstars Of Pakistan Cricket

PSL, on the other hand, started in 2016 and was instrumental in bringing cricket back to Pakistani soil. It was the PSL that played the first matches with international players on the country’s soil after the 2009 terrorist attacks on Sri Lanka National Cricket Team.

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With the PSL draft right around the corner, Mohammad Rizwan announced to the media that:

Also read: PAK vs NZ: PCB Chairman Najam Sethi Confesses That Several Parties Are Interested In Buying Two New Pakistan Super League (PSL) Teams

“The IPL is there, but if you ask any player around the world who has played in the PSL, he would say that Pakistan’s league is the toughest in the world.”

Refuting this claim, Danish Kaneria, in an interview with Times Now, praised BCCI for IPL’s success and for making it one of the most valuable leagues in the world.

“Bakwaas baat hai (It’s all rubbish). The stature of IPL is the greatest all over the world, and no other league even comes close. The BCCI has made the league at par with the NFL  (National Football League) of USA,” he said.

Mohammad Rizwan might have captained Pakistan’s national team despite not being in the Playing XI

Mohammad Rizwan might have done something wholly unique in Pakistan’s Test match against New Zealand earlier this year, as he allegedly captained the side despite not being in the playing XI.

In the second Test match against New Zealand back in January, Sarfaraz Ahmed was picked over Rizwan as the keeper for the side. On the 3rd day of the match, captain Babar Azam was feeling unwell and did not take the field.

Now, it is not clear what actually happened, but Mohammad Rizwan, the substitute fielder, led the side into the field.

MCC Law 24.1.2 states that a substitute fielder cannot be an official captain on the field. Seeing this, the PCB clarified later that evening that it was Sarfaraz who was the captain on that day, but many still have suspicions.

Also read: PAK vs NZ: “Mickey Arthur Will Decide How Many Captains Pakistan Has Going Forward”- Najam Sethi

Now back in the squad for the upcoming ODI and T20 series against NZ, Mohammad Rizwan will look to get into form ahead of the ODI World Cup in India later this year.

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