England bowling all-rounder David Willey said he found more “safety and security” in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) compared to the neighboring country’s Indian Premier League (IPL).
The IPL has faced notable setbacks for a year as it has lost brand value and star cricketers, including Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali and Glenn Maxwell, who committed to the PSL instead of participating in the IPL’s player auction to be held in Abu Dhabi next week.
Willey, who had also opted out of the IPL auction last year to feature in PSL’s landmark 10th edition, felt that players may prioritize the latter league due to getting more playing time instead of sitting on the sidelines for around three months.
“I think it’s very individual. You might never quite know how the IPL auction will go. I think there’s a little bit more safety and security with the PSL for players,” Willey told an Indian news website on the sidelines of the ILT20, where he represents the Dubai Capitals.
“And you know, depending on individual circumstances, people may feel they have a better chance of actually playing in the PSL rather than just sitting on the sidelines for 10-11 weeks, which can be a deciding factor for people,” he added.
The PSL, which started in 2016 with five franchises and later expanded to six sides in 2018, is all set for further expansion with the addition of two new teams from its upcoming 11th edition to 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.
