Former Indian cricketer Parvez Rasool recently made a striking comparison between the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Dhaka Premier League (DPL). Speaking on the podcast Off Script by Wasaf Jilani, Rasool claimed that playing in the 50-over DPL is more challenging and competitive than the IPL.

The 35-year-old, who represented India in one ODI and one T20I, explained his stance, “I’ve played five seasons of Bangladesh’s Dhaka League. In my opinion, the Dhaka League is more competitive than the IPL. I’ve experienced both tournaments, and I find the Dhaka League tougher.”

Rasool supported his statement by contrasting the contractual systems of the two leagues. “In the IPL, you sign a contract with the team. Whether you play or not, your contract remains intact. Even if you’re dropped after a few bad performances, you stay with the team.”

On the other hand, foreign players in the DPL operate under shorter contracts, “In the Dhaka League, there’s immense pressure. You sign contracts for just two matches. If you perform well, your contract extends. If not, you’re handed a return ticket after the third game. I won’t take names, but some big players were sent back after playing only two or three matches.”

In its prime, the DPL attracted some of the world’s top cricketers. Even before Bangladesh became a recognized force in international cricket, Test players from various nations graced this tournament. Before the rise of franchise T20 leagues, the Dhaka League was a significant event in the cricketing calendar.

However, things have changed over time. With packed international schedules, even Bangladesh’s national players often miss the DPL. Still, for many local players, the tournament remains a crucial source of income.