Kamal Ghorui
Another day, another Indian Premier League (IPL) comparison in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) — and this time, it left Islamabad United assistant coach Jacob Oram in splits.The former New Zealand cricketer could not hold back his laughter when asked about South African batter Rillie Rossouw’s recent remark that the IPL feels “more of a movie than actual cricket,” compared to the PSL.The moment came during the post-match press conference after Hyderabad Kingsmen defeated Islamabad United by six wickets in Karachi, but the focus quickly shifted from the result to the now-viral IPL vs PSL debate.“Did you say like a movie?” Oram reactsReacting to the question, Oram laughed and said, “Did you say like a movie?” before offering a balanced take on the comparison.“They’re similar tournaments, but they’re very different. That’s twice as long, the IPL,” he said, referring to the scale of the competition. “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.”Currently part of the Islamabad United setup alongside head coach Luke Ronchi, Oram emphasised his positive experience in the PSL.“This is my first opportunity in the PSL and I’m loving it. The group — from staff to players — have been so welcoming. We are well looked after, well catered for… so far, so good here. Loving it,” he added.Oram also admitted he would have preferred fuller stadiums for a better atmosphere, saying, “I’d love to have crowds here… for that vibe and atmosphere,” while acknowledging the reasons behind their absence.WATCH: Rossouw’s comment fuels debateThe question stemmed from Rossouw’s earlier statement, where he drew a sharp contrast between the two leagues.“The IPL obviously has the whole Bollywood behind it, so it’s a lot more of a movie than actual cricket. So both of them have their pros and cons,” Rossouw had said after a Player of the Match performance in Karachi.His remark came amid growing ambitions within the PSL ecosystem, with Mohsin Naqvi recently stating that the league is on track to become the world’s top franchise tournament.While comparisons between the IPL and PSL continue to dominate headlines, Oram’s candid and humorous response summed up the mood best — respect for both leagues.
