Veteran Pakistani cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has categorically criticised the comparison between Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL). Shehzad, who was not picked by any franchise in the PSL 2026 draft, didn't hold back in expressing his ire, saying that overseas players participating in the PSL are either retired or were not in demand in the IPL. He asserted that both leagues operate on a completely different scale. 

His remarks come in light of recent interaction involving PSL players Rilee Rossouw and Kusal Mendis, who were recently asked by Pakistan journalists to share their experience of playing in the IPL and PSL. Moreover, on Tuesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) imposed a two-year ban on Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani for pulling out of the PSL. Muzarabani, roped in by Islamabad United, pulled out of PSL after securing a deal with Kolkata Knight Riders as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman. 

"The only players you have left in the PSL are those who retired from the IPL, went unsold in the IPL or have no IPL careers left in the IPL, like David Warner and Steve Smith. Anyone at all who has a chance to play will only choose the IPL. So how many more players will you ban?" Shehzad said on his YouTube channel.

Rilee Rossouw, representing Quetta Gladiators in PSL 2026, has only been able to gather 79 runs in four innings, struggling to find his form. Meanwhile, Shehzad, lashing out at Rilee Rossouw, maintained that no player would praise the IPL while playing in the PSL.

"Look at Rilee Rossouw — there is no clarity about his performances (in PSL), but he has made statements. And when he was asked about the IPL – 'What do you think about the IPL?' – while playing PSL, you obviously cannot praise IPL. So in that, he said, 'Oh, that is a Bollywood movie.' The cricket is happening here in PSL. IPL is a movie that doesn't end," Shehzad said.