PSL declares war on IPL again as PCB challenges BCCI’s supremacy

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) will once again overlap with the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the upcoming season, since the March to May window has been announced for the PSL in 2026. The PCB would also make international adjustments to fit in the PSL.

The Indian Premier League is undoubtedly one of the biggest franchise-level global cricket leagues in the world, and no other league in the world comes anywhere near its craze and stardom. However, the PSL or the Pakistan Super League has been growing in stature in recent times.

The PSL was launched in 2016, and since then, the PSL has been played across Pakistan and the UAE. This season, the PSL is also adding two teams to its league, and the auction for which will be held on the 8th of January.

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PSL and IPL to clash in the same window

For the first nine editions of the PSL, the tournament was played in the February-March window, as this slot likely suited both international scheduling and the availability of most of the overseas cricketers.

The window was pushed back due to Pakistan hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and now, for the next year as well, the window has been affected by the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to be hosted in the February-March window.

With limited time flexibility, the Pakistan Super League will now go head-to-head with the IPL. The PCB recently confirmed the window for the 11th edition of the tournament between March 26 and the 3rd of May. The IPL has also been held during this same window over all these years.

Pakistan's international calendar to be revised for PSL window

The PSL announcement was made by the PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also acknowledged that the revised scheduling would need some adjustments in Pakistan's international calendar.

“Any international commitments of the Pakistan team during this window will be readjusted,” Naqvi said, mainly referring towards the proposed tour of Bangladesh. The tour is scheduled in the same March-April window and is likely to feature two WTC Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is.

Though they are ready to make changes to their international calendar, the PSL authorities of the PCB are not going to clearly mark any change in the PSL window. This seems a challenge to both leagues.

Several former IPL giants have moved to the PSL this year

Several greats from the IPL have moved to the PSL recently, as they want to explore a new league and its dynamics. Former CSK and RCB batter Faf du Plessis was among the most high-profile names to make a switch. He withdrew from the IPL auction list and has mentioned his move to the PSL drafts.

Another such significant name is also another former RCB and CSK all-rounder, Moeen Ali. The former England all-rounder has also made a move to the PSL after being released by the Kolkata Knight Riders this season.

Several other players have remarked that they have to sit aside in the IPL teams and wait for a handful of chances while they get some real-time action in the PSL. One of the players to make this claim was David Willey, a former IPL player for RCB.

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