On the back foot, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is fighting a losing battle. They have pitted the Pakistan Super League against the hugely popular Indian Premier League. But now, as a course correction, PCB has revised the PSL 2025 start timing to avoid clashing with the IPL 2025 start timing.
Originally, PSL 2025 matches were supposed to start at 7 PM PST or 7:30 IST, the same as IPL match timing. However, PCB has delayed the start by an hour to 8 PM PST or 8:30 PM IST to avoid a clash of start times.
While the start time won’t clash, PSL will coincide with IPL 2025. PSL begins on April 11 in Rawalpindi and will end on May 18. IPL will end on May 26. Hence, PCB will have the entire tournament in IPL’s shadows.
“It is not an ideal situation, but we are confident that the PSL has its own fan base and will attract the usual eyeballs. The PSL has always produced quality competitive cricket, and this year also we should see the same, and cricket fans anywhere, at the end of the day, just want to see competitive, entertaining matches,” Salman Naseer, the PSL CEO,
Our stars shine on with the radiant Luminara Trophy
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 10, 2025#HBLPSLX l #ApnaXHai pic.twitter.com/4kTYnObaLn
IPL vs PSL clash in 2026 too?
The clash in 2025 might not be the only time. With the T20 World Cup 2026 set for the February-March window, both tournaments could clash again next year.
The other option could be to start PSL a little early in mid-January. But with the T20 WC fixtures yet to be decided, PCB will be concerned. South Africa’s SA20, UAE’s ILT20 and Australia’s Big Bash League take place in the January-February window.
Both ILT20 and SA20 have already settled on the window and even fixtures. Hence, if PSL has to avoid clashing with IPL again, they will need to fight a four-way battle. By doing so, PSL will also risk losing out on overseas players who could prefer other leagues with lucrative contracts over Pakistan’s league.
