Legendary Pakistani pacer Wasim Akram has weighed in on the perennial debate surrounding the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL), declaring the IPL as the bigger T20 extravaganza.
Akram, who has been associated with both leagues, emphasised the enormous stature of the IPL while likening the PSL to a "mini-IPL" within the Pakistani cricket landscape.
In a recent media interaction, the cricket icon was posed with the question of choosing between IPL and PSL, to which Akram promptly responded, "IPL. I have worked in both. You can't compare the two, IPL is huge. PSL is huge in Pakistan, no doubt; it's like the mini-IPL of Pakistan."
Akram, who has been a part of the cricketing fraternity in both countries, refrained from choosing between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Karachi Kings, diplomatically opting for both teams.
The subtle nod to the coexistence of talent and competitive spirit in both leagues highlights Akram's appreciation for the cricketing fervor on display in both India and Pakistan.
As the anticipation builds for the upcoming IPL 2024, reports suggest a tentative window starting from March 22 and extending until the end of May. The final dates are contingent on the schedule of India's general elections, which are yet to be finalized by the Election Commission.
The recently concluded IPL auction for 2024 witnessed a fierce bidding war, with Kolkata Knight Riders securing the services of Mitchell Starc for a record-breaking sum of Rs 24.75 crore. Starc, fresh from his success in the ODI World Cup in India, emerged as a highly sought-after player in the auction, causing a stir with his astronomical price tag.