Australian leg spinner Adam Zampa has opened up about his decision to choose the Pakistan Super League (PSL) over the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season. Zampa said that the financial remuneration offered during the IPL is no longer commensurate with the huge commitment of time required to participate.
The leg spinner remained unsold during the IPL 2026 mini auction after Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) released him. After missing out on an IPL contract, Zampa joined the PSL. Karachi Kings signed him for PKR 4.5 crore. He made an immediate impact in the season, helping Karachi Kings defeat Lahore Qalandars.
I was planning to take a break, Adam Zampa opens up on choosing PSL over IPL
In an interview with a local sports platform, Adam Zampa said that his decision to leave the IPL was based on the need of the hour. He said the financial returns for his role did not match the longevity of the tournament.
“To be honest, for someone with my skill set, the money just isn’t there compared to the money available to other skill sets. Given the amount of time required for the IPL, it doesn’t seem like a fair option for me to continue playing.”
Zampa also shared that he had initially planned to take a break from cricket before getting the PSL opportunity. He said the move was sudden but good as he is enjoying his time in the PSL with Karachi Kings.
“I was planning on taking a break, but then the PSL came on the radar about a month ago. It all happened very quickly, but I’m enjoying it.”
I enjoy watching Shaheen Afridi – Adam Zampa
The 34-year-old was particularly impressed with Afridi’s performance in the game, where the left-arm pacer maintained excellent form and took four wickets. Zampa said that it is always exciting to watch him bowl, as he regularly affects the flow of the match.
Zampa revealed, “One player I really enjoy watching is Shaheen Afridi. I played against him yesterday. He bowled really well and took four wickets. Whenever he bowls it always feels like something exciting is happening.”
Zampa, who plays for Karachi Kings, has taken three wickets in two matches. He was named player of the match for his figures of 2/11 against Lahore Qalandars in a low-scoring game.
Adam Zampa’s IPL journey reflects inconsistent opportunities despite strong record
Adam Zampa has been a part of several IPL teams, including Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS), but he has never earned a consistent place in any team.
Despite being Australia’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is and a member of their T20 World Cup 2021-winning team, he has often been selected on his base value.
In six IPL seasons, Zampa earned a total of ₹7.5 crore, with deals ranging from ₹30 lakh with Rising Pune Supergiant to ₹2.4 crore with Sunrisers Hyderabad. In contrast, some Australian players like Cameron Green secured massive contracts, including a ₹25.20 crore deal with Kolkata Knight Riders.
He played five games and took 12 wickets in his first season, followed by playing six games and taking seven wickets the following year. His appearances for RCB, RR and SRH were also brief.
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