Why Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali joining PSL instead of IPL can become a trend

Veteran batter Faf du Plessis (BCCI Photo)

Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali have decided to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) next year instead of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Both are veterans and retired from international cricket. They may not find buyers in India and that seems to have prompted them to explore the Pakistan option.

This might just become a trend. The IPL is obviously the most lucrative franchise league in cricket and players from the world over queue up to bag a contract. Close to 600 players had enlisted for the last auction. It’s something that everybody wants to be a part of. To say ‘no’ to it means a player knows that he will not be bought.

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For them, PSL becomes the next best option. It can’t match the IPL in anything, but has built a name for itself over the years. International teams have often been reluctant to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns. Individual players, however, have preferred going there. Cricket is Pakistan’s No. 1 sport and foreign players are given royal treatment in the country. They live like stars over there.

The IPL is a very demanding competition. Players are given fabulous sums and live in luxury. They get all the good things in life. At the same time, the team owners want performance. It’s a professional work world. Some of the owners can even go to the extent of hauling up the players or coaches if they don’t win. The pressure to deliver is constant and enormous. Sometimes, this can take its toll.

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This pressure factor isn’t as much in PSL. It’s a high-intensity competition alright, but the frenzy surrounding it can’t be compared with what goes on in India, where the country forgets everything else for the two months when the IPL is played. In Pakistan, the players feel more relaxed instead of feeling the heat all the time.

It’s early to say if the decision by Du Plessis and Moeen will influence others and this will become a trend. But they have shown a way that can be followed. The demand for overseas pros in PSL will never decrease and it won’t be a surprise to see more players choosing to play in Pakistan. They will not do that as long as they are in demand in the IPL. Once that’s gone, they will look for alternatives and the PSL works for them in that case.