Frustration? Star all-rounder reveals why he left IPL for Pak’s league
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London: A scheduling clash between the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has thrown overseas players into a difficult choice, forcing them to pick one tournament over the other. While most international stars have predictably opted to remain in the IPL, the world’s most lucrative T20 league, a few unexpected names have broken ranks — most notably former England all-rounder Moeen Ali.
The 38-year-old’s decision to walk away from the IPL, where he was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has raised eyebrows, especially amid speculation surrounding his sudden exit. Moeen has now made it clear that the move was driven by a combination of professional and personal factors. Limited game time in the IPL, coupled with the tournament’s long duration, played a decisive role in his choice. Despite being signed for ₹2 crore for the 2025 season, he managed to feature in just six matches and had minimal opportunities with the bat, scoring only five runs.
Moeen expressed frustration with his lack of playing time in IPL 2025, ESPN reported, adding that he only played half the games and rarely batted.
“At this stage, I want to be out there; I want to bat. I feel like I'm playing good cricket towards the back end of my career, and I just want to keep going," ESPN quoted him.
The veteran all-rounder, who is keen to remain active and competitive in the final phase of his career, has instead opted for the shorter PSL season, which he believes better suits both his cricketing ambitions and family life. The appeal of representing Karachi Kings further influenced his decision. He is set to earn approximately ₹2.14 crore annually in the PSL.
Moeen’s move underscores a growing undercurrent among fringe and ageing players in the IPL setup — a frustration over lack of opportunities and the demanding length of the tournament. While the IPL continues to dominate global T20 cricket, his switch highlights that not all players are willing to remain on the sidelines in pursuit of its financial and prestige advantages.