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Pakistan Cricketers' IPL Exile: A Decade of Absence
16 Mar
Summary
- Pakistani players have been absent from the IPL for over a decade.
- Azhar Mahmood played as an English player in 2012-2015.
- Abrar Ahmed's signing by Sunrisers Leeds ended speculation on Indian-owned teams.
Pakistani cricketers have been absent from the Indian Premier League (IPL) for more than ten years, with the last participation of Pakistani players ending after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan led to this situation, with Pakistan barring its players from traveling to India citing security concerns. This policy shift followed a successful 2008 IPL season where several Pakistani stars, including Sohail Tanvir and Shoaib Akhtar, participated and made significant contributions.
Despite the general absence, Azhar Mahmood, a Pakistan-born all-rounder, featured in the IPL for three seasons between 2012 and 2015. However, he did so by registering as an English player after obtaining a British passport, marking the final instance of a Pakistan-born cricketer appearing in the league. In 2010, Pakistan players were included in the auction pool, but no franchise bid for them, a moment later described as a 'silent snub.'
Recently, the discussion around Pakistan players in franchise leagues resurfaced with spinner Abrar Ahmed being picked by Sunrisers Leeds for The Hundred. This move by an Indian-owned franchise ended speculation that such teams would avoid Pakistani players, mirroring the IPL's stance since 2009.
