NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has highlighted the difference between his country’s and India’s journey in cricket, particularly how India has turned it into a lucrative industry. Latif’s comments come after India went unbeaten in the 2024 T20 World Cup while Pakistan suffered an early exit in the group stage.
Latif pointed out the disparity between the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL), highlighting how the IPL has become a global powerhouse, while the PSL has struggled to develop in comparison.
“India has developed its cricket industry just like it has its film industry. We treat cricket as a hobby so we have not been able to make it a business. The PSL is still as it was when it started. The maximum salary cap is $140,000. Why can’t they push it further? Why can’t we have players like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins? There is no business as there is no money,” Latif told News18.
He further elaborated on the strategic expansion in Indian cricket and said that its success was largely due to learning from foreign coaches and development at the grassroots level.
“It’s not just after the World Cup that India has come to the forefront of cricketing. Look back to 2007, 2011, 2015. India has been working at the grassroots level behind the scenes while also getting a lot of knowledge from foreign coaches. Then the IPL came along and now India has the best talent – they have Ponting, DC, Hussey and Bravo. But that’s just how it is,” Latif added.
India’s recent victories, including a T20 World Cup win and a runner-up finish in the ODI World Cup in 2023, underscore the country’s dominance in white-ball cricket. In contrast, Pakistan has struggled to achieve results in major cricket tournaments of late.
Latif’s comments have drawn attention to the challenges Pakistan cricket faces in building a sustainable business model. He has advocated for greater strategic planning towards uplifting the PSL and improving Pakistan’s cricket infrastructure.
Latif pointed out the disparity between the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL), highlighting how the IPL has become a global powerhouse, while the PSL has struggled to develop in comparison.
“India has developed its cricket industry just like it has its film industry. We treat cricket as a hobby so we have not been able to make it a business. The PSL is still as it was when it started. The maximum salary cap is $140,000. Why can’t they push it further? Why can’t we have players like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins? There is no business as there is no money,” Latif told News18.
He further elaborated on the strategic expansion in Indian cricket and said that its success was largely due to learning from foreign coaches and development at the grassroots level.
“It’s not just after the World Cup that India has come to the forefront of cricketing. Look back to 2007, 2011, 2015. India has been working at the grassroots level behind the scenes while also getting a lot of knowledge from foreign coaches. Then the IPL came along and now India has the best talent – they have Ponting, DC, Hussey and Bravo. But that’s just how it is,” Latif added.
India’s recent victories, including a T20 World Cup win and a runner-up finish in the ODI World Cup in 2023, underscore the country’s dominance in white-ball cricket. In contrast, Pakistan has struggled to achieve results in major cricket tournaments of late.
Latif’s comments have drawn attention to the challenges Pakistan cricket faces in building a sustainable business model. He has advocated for greater strategic planning towards uplifting the PSL and improving Pakistan’s cricket infrastructure.
