April 20, 2025: The ever-heated debate between the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) received a fresh twist after a video surfaced online showing a Pakistani fan watching an IPL game on their mobile phone — all while attending a live PSL match. The clip, which quickly went viral on social media, showed the fan checking the progress of a Delhi Capitals IPL match amid ongoing PSL action inside the stadium.
The video reignited comparisons between the two T20 leagues, with fans from both nations jumping into the fray to defend their favorite tournament. While the IPL has long been considered the global leader in T20 franchise cricket, PSL loyalists argue that their league is rapidly catching up in terms of talent and competitiveness.
The viral moment came shortly after Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali made an ambitious claim that if PSL continues to raise its quality, global audiences would prefer it over the IPL. “If we play well in the PSL, viewers will leave the IPL to watch us,” Hasan said in a bold pre-season statement quoted by Geo News.
However, a counterview came from England cricketer Sam Billings, who is currently featuring in the PSL but has previously played in the IPL. Speaking at a press conference for the Lahore Qalandars, Billings didn’t mince words when calling the IPL the top-tier T20 league globally.
“You want me to say something silly?” he joked before adding, “It’s hard to look past the IPL as the premier competition in the world; it’s very obvious, every other competition is just behind.”
Meanwhile, the ongoing PSL 2025 season has completed nine matches, with each of the six franchises having played three games. Islamabad United currently top the table with an unbeaten record, followed closely by Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings, who have each suffered just one loss.
With both T20 leagues underway simultaneously this year, the comparisons are only getting louder — both on and off the field.