Fresh comparisons between the Indian Premier League and the Pakistan Super League have once again spilled into the spotlight, this time after Islamabad United assistant coach Jacob Oram reacted to a comment made by Rilee Rossouw. Oram’s response came following Islamabad United’s six-wicket loss to Hyderabad Kingsmen, when he was asked about Rossouw’s view that the IPL is “more of a movie than actual cricket.”
Key takeaways
- Jacob Oram fielded questions after Islamabad United lost by six wickets to Hyderabad Kingsmen.
- Oram responded to Rilee Rossouw’s remark that the IPL is “more of a movie than actual cricket.”
- Oram said the two leagues may feel similar in some ways, but the IPL is “twice as long.”
- Oram is in his first PSL coaching role and praised the welcome from the Islamabad United set-up.
- He also noted that PSL 2026 is being staged in just Lahore and Karachi, with crowds absent due to higher oil prices and a cancelled opening ceremony.
- Kusal Mendis faced a tense moment at a PSL press conference about leaving the PSL in 2025 to join GT in the IPL the same year.
Oram’s reaction to IPL vs PSL comparisons
The question put to Oram was tied to Rossouw’s recent statement, where the South African explained that while both competitions offer their own strengths and weaknesses, the IPL’s longer schedule and larger entertainment footprint make it feel more cinematic. Rossouw also pointed to the fact that the PSL is shorter and, in his words, the contest tends to be far more intense.
When Oram was asked, “Did you say like a movie?”, he laughed before continuing his point. He acknowledged that the tournaments can appear similar, but insisted they are not the same, underlining that the IPL runs for a significantly longer period compared to the PSL.
Oram added that he has not coached in the IPL, though he has played there in the past. He described the league as having grown into a “behemoth,” emphasizing how much bigger it has become since his playing days.
First PSL coaching stint and the PSL 2026 format
Speaking about his coaching experience in Pakistan, Oram said this is his first chance in the PSL and that he is enjoying it. He specifically mentioned that the Islamabad United environment—from the staff through to the players—has been welcoming, and that the team has been well looked after and looked after closely in terms of arrangements.
Despite the positive feedback, Oram admitted he wants stadiums to be fuller in Pakistan. He said he would love to have crowds in order to create the right vibe and atmosphere.
Oram’s comments came against the backdrop of changes to the PSL 2026 plan. The season is being held at only two venues, with matches taking place in Lahore and Karachi. The decision has been linked to a recent rise in oil prices and the absence of spectators. The opening ceremony has also been cancelled, and the tournament was originally set to take place across six cities before the format was scaled down.
Mendis’ awkward press conference and GT stint
Another moment from PSL coverage involved Sri Lankan batter Kusal Mendis, who found himself in an awkward position during a PSL press conference. A journalist asked whether he regretted leaving the PSL in 2025 and then joining Gujarat Titans (GT) in the IPL during the same season.
The questioning continued with a second angle: the journalist asked if Mendis regretted the decision after he went unsold at the IPL auction. Mendis responded simply by laughing, and the media manager stepped in to intervene.
Later context was also outlined around Mendis’ PSL timeline. He left the PSL 2025 midway through the campaign after citing security concerns. After that, he joined GT as a temporary replacement for Jos Buttler, receiving ₹75 lakh. He featured in the Eliminator against MI, but GT were beaten in that match.
