Yet another IPL-versus-PSL comparison has sparked conversation in Pakistan’s T20 spotlight, this time catching Islamabad United assistant coach Jacob Oram mid-laugh. The trigger was South Africa batter Rillie Rossouw’s latest comment that the IPL feels “more of a movie than actual cricket,” and Oram’s reaction quickly turned a routine post-match press interaction into a viral debate.
Key takeaways
- Jacob Oram’s laughter came during a post-game press conference after Hyderabad Kingsmen beat Islamabad United by six wickets in Karachi.
- Oram was responding to Rillie Rossouw’s view that the IPL resembles a “movie” more than cricket, compared to the PSL.
- The assistant coach said both leagues are similar in broad structure but differ significantly in scale, highlighting that the IPL is “twice as long.”
- Oram, who has not coached in the IPL but played there earlier, described the league as having grown into a major “behemoth.”
- He praised his first PSL experience, noting the staff and players have been highly welcoming and well supported.
- Oram also expressed a wish for fuller stands to improve the atmosphere, while acknowledging that crowds are currently limited.
Oram’s light-hearted take after Kingsmen’s win
The exchange unfolded at the post-match press conference following Hyderabad Kingsmen’s victory over Islamabad United in Karachi. While the scoreline and result were initially in focus, the conversation soon pivoted to the increasingly popular IPL vs PSL comparison—especially Rossouw’s recent remarks.
When asked whether Rossouw had indeed described the IPL as “like a movie,” Oram couldn’t contain himself. He responded with a quick, joking reaction—“Did you say like a movie?”—before moving into a more measured explanation of where he thinks the two competitions overlap and where they diverge.
Oram underlined the similarities first, saying the tournaments are comparable in nature, yet very different in the way they operate and present themselves. He added that the IPL’s duration is about double, which he pointed to as a key reason behind the difference in feel. “I haven’t coached in the IPL. I played in the IPL and that was a long time ago… and it has grown into a bit of a behemoth,” he said, framing the league’s scale and growth as central to its identity.
PSL experience, stadium atmosphere, and the Rossouw link
Speaking from his current role in the Islamabad United setup—alongside head coach Luke Ronchi—Oram made it clear he is enjoying his PSL stint. He called it his first real opportunity in the league and said he has felt welcomed across the entire environment. “The group — from staff to players — have been so welcoming,” he remarked, adding that the team has been “well looked after” and “well catered for,” with the early impression staying strongly positive.
Still, Oram admitted there is one aspect he would like to see improved: the atmosphere created by crowds. He said he would love to have more spectators in the stands to build the right vibe and energy, while also acknowledging the reality behind why full stadiums are not always possible.
The question that set everything off traced back to Rossouw’s earlier comment, made after a Player of the Match showing in Karachi. In that statement, Rossouw drew a contrast between the two leagues by pointing to the IPL’s Bollywood influence, saying it becomes “a lot more of a movie than actual cricket.” He also noted that both competitions come with their own strengths and weaknesses, an approach that fed directly into the wider debate now dominating conversation.
Rossouw’s observation has landed at a time when the PSL is actively chasing bigger global ambitions. In the surrounding chatter, Mohsin Naqvi had recently said the league is on track to become the world’s leading franchise tournament—an aim that naturally keeps the IPL comparison simmering.
In the end, Oram’s response—part humour, part perspective—captured the prevailing mood: a respectful acknowledgement of what the IPL and PSL each do well, even as fans continue to measure one against the other.
