Wasim Akram Mocks IPL Duration, Calls PSL “Quality Over Quantity”

One of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, Wasim Akram has taken a subtle dig at the length of the Indian Premier League (IPL) while praising the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for being shorter and, in his view, stronger in bowling quality. 

While the IPL stretches beyond two months, the PSL packs its season into roughly a month. Speaking at a PSL promotional event at Lord’s, as reported by News18, Akram joked about the IPL’s extended timeline: 

“Bacche bade ho jate hain, woh league khatam hi nahi hoti (Kids grow up but the league continues). The best thing about (PSL) is that it is played for only about 34–35 days, maybe a little more next year.”

He also compared the league’s structure to Australia’s Big Bash League: “Prime example is the BBL. They started off with two-and-a-half months. They realised after four or five years it wasn’t working. Now their duration is about 40 days. That’s it. That’s the beauty of the PSL.”

Akram didn’t stop there. When asked about the talent pool, he highlighted that PSL bowling remains superior in terms of quality: 

“Of course, the talent. Everybody overseas, when I talk to them, they talk about bowling in the IPL and other leagues. They say the PSL, as far as talent is concerned, is definitely No. 1 because we have quality, not quantity.”

The PSL 2026 season will expand from six to eight teams and will be held in April-May. Meanwhile, the IPL 2026 is expected to begin on March 15 and run until May 31.