England bowling all-rounder David Willey said he found more “certainty and security” in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) than in the neighboring country’s Indian Premier League (IPL).
IPL has been facing notable setbacks for a year now as it has lost brand value and star cricketers, including Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali and Glenn Maxwell, who have committed to attend PSL, instead of participating in the IPL player auction, which will be held in Abu Dhabi next week.
Willey, who had also opted out of the IPL auction last year to appear in the historic 10th edition of the PSL, opined that the players may prioritize this latest league as they get more playing time instead of sitting on the sidelines for around three months.
“I think it’s very individual. You may never know how the IPL auction will play out. I think there is a bit more certainty and security with the PSL for the players,” Willey told an Indian news website on the sidelines of ILT20, where he represents Dubai Capitals.
“And, you know, depending on individual circumstances, people may feel like they have a better chance of playing in the PSL rather than sitting on the sidelines for 10 or 11 weeks, which can be a defining factor for people,” he added.
The PSL, which started in 2016 with five franchises and then expanded to six teams in 2018, is set for further expansion with the addition of two new teams from its upcoming 11th edition, which will be played next year.
With the upcoming additions, the PSL will undergo its first major restructuring in seven years, bringing the total number of franchises to eight.
