IPL vs. PSL- Let’s settle the deal

Picture Credits: www.sportsmaza.com

Over the last few days, browsing over social media, I saw a lot of posts regarding IPL vs. PSL, the prize money, the spectators, etc. etc. It wasn’t a good sight to see people fight in the comment section regarding their club cricket and suddenly wave off to India vs. Pakistan political battle. And, it wasn’t like those funny banters we have in common, it was brutal and abusive. The argument just grew hatred amongst Indians and Pakistanis. The rage was clearly evident from citizens of both countries. So, for this purpose I thought of settling the deal once it for all with IPL and PSL.

IPL, the Indian Premier League started in the year 2008, and is 10 years older. It has everything- talent, money, crowd, sponsorships, glamour etc. It is the closest, not similar but the closest to any football (soccer) league. The objective of IPL was clear enough, and that was to make money. That’s what it did, that’s what it is doing, and that’s what it will do. BCCI loved the idea and they saw a unique chance of making good bucks. It also created so many jobs for people and contributed so much to the Indian Economy is such a short period of time. IPL is drama, a complete entertainment package of 2 months with no International Fixtures. Everyone involved in some way or the other is making money because of IPL. To show to the public, IPL was some sort of young talent finder, which I would deny with. Which Indian young talent has succeeded because of the IPL? Maybe they would have had a season good for themselves, but it is rare to see a player making it big to go to the International Arena and perform. Let’s be frank, IPL pretends to encourage young talent. Maybe it does to a lesser extent, but the objective of starting IPL was pure business and nothing else. That’s also the reason why it is so popular amongst the fans. The big business owners, actors are owning the teams and marketing becomes an easier job because in India we love following popular personalities. IPL, in today’s date is the most successful league with respect to the amount of viewership it gets, the money it makes and the glamour it attracts. It is commercialised cricket, if you like it, you watch it, if you don’t, you watch a 5-day Test match highlights on YouTube. However, with so much talks about IPL, even a person in India not following IPL, forget just the IPL, person not following cricket will know about it or will have to know about it for social conversations. IPL is a huge success for BCCI, owners, players and the men behind the camera too.

Coming to the PSL, last week for so, Shahid Afridi tweeted “I don't want to play in IPL, My PSL is best. Even if they call me, I won’t go to the IPL. My PSL is the biggest and there will be a time that it leaves the IPL behind. I am enjoying the PSL, I don’t have any need for the IPL. I’m not interested in it and never was”. From what he was talking about, it was evident that he was emotional about PSL. It is natural for any Pakistani to support his league. However, being a role model for many, he shouldn’t have compared it to the IPL. And that’s where the comment war started. PSL is not a league to make money. It is about calling cricket back home. It is about making people believe that Pakistan can once again host International matches. PSL, is pure with its objectives. They are fine with no spectators, they are fine if an International player refuses to play PSL final because it will be held in Pakistan. PSL’s motive slowly and gradually be more evident as Lahore and Karachi host more matches. It is when International players will start showing faith in Pakistan again. I know Zimbabwe, West Indies have travelled recently, however it is not about those T20I’s and calling teams like Zimbabwe and West Indies. No disrespect to the Zimbabwe and WI, but Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wants full Test series in Pakistan, against teams like Australia, South Africa and of course India! PSL doesn’t care about money, spectators, glamour and whatever the IPL gets. It is striving hard to achieve one objective and that to bring International cricket back in Pakistan. That is a major factor for such rage from Pakistanis on social media when they see any IPL vs. PSL meme. They love their league and are with the objective of the league as well. One can understand how emotional or how connected they feel and what goes in the mind when they see such posts. I’m not supporting the Pakistan fans, just trying to get their perspective. Whatever comments are posted on social media are wrong, it shouldn’t happen. Indians comparing IPL prize money vs. PSL prize money are wrong at the same time, Shahid Afridi who played in the first season of IPL shouldn't have made a statement about the IPL. All these things are bound to instigate rage amongst the fans, and such things should stop.

Also, IPL vs. PSL isn’t a debate. Both are cricket leagues with different goals in mind. Let us celebrate both and contribute to the growth of the sport “Cricket” instead of sitting at our homes with phone in hand and using abusive language on social media.