Following a high-profile commercial roadshow at Lord's, the Pakistan Super League gained international attention this week. However, Wasim Akram's jab at the Indian Premier League (IPL) during a celebration of the PSL was the main cause of the buzz.
In advance of the tournament's 2026 edition, the PCB held two star-studded sessions at the legendary location. The first section included PSL CEO Salman Naseer, former captains Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja, and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Current celebrities Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Sahibzada Farhan, and Akram returned to the stage in the second.

During these conversations, Akram chose to make light of the IPL's length, joking that it "never ends" and even saying in Hindi, "Bacchey bade ho jate hain, woh league khatam hi nahi hoti"—children grow up while that league is still going on. He compared the PSL's short, fast-paced format, which usually lasts just over a month, with the IPL's two-plus-month schedule.
Akram described the PSL as "short, fast, and exciting," adding, "The best thing about the league is that it is played for only about 34–35 days, maybe a little more next year." He went on to say that foreign players prefer shorter commitments, joking that they would rather stay in Pakistan for 35 to 40 days.For other people, two and a half to three months is a little too lengthy. "Even I get bored," Akram remarked.
As proof that shorter competitions are more effective, Akram highlighted the Big Bash League's decision to shorten its own lifespan. He continued by asserting that PSL bowling talent is rated higher by foreign players than that of other leagues because it provides "quality, not quantity."
"The BBL is a prime example. They had two and a half months at first. After four or five years, they realized it wasn't working. They now last for roughly 40 days. That's all. That's what makes the PSL so beautiful. The talent, of course. When I speak with people abroad, they all discuss bowling in the IPL and other competitions.

They claim that the PSL is unquestionably the best in terms of talent as we have quality rather than quantity.
Despite the lighthearted jab, Akram conceded that the IPL remains at the top of the worldwide franchise hierarchy, with the PSL coming in second.
Akram made the remarks in front of Babar Azam, Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the PCB, and other people. Naqvi utilized the occasion to present an ambitious plan, stating that the PSL's goal is to become the top cricket league in the world. Ramiz Raja, the former head of the PCB, emphasized the league's contribution to the development of young Pakistani players by exposing them to global celebrities.
Although Akram's casual criticism of the IPL meant that the focus veered slightly off course, the roadshow was successful in presenting the PSL on a prestigious international stage.