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Has Any Pakistani Cricketer Played in IPL After the Ban?: Following reports of Mohammad Amir obtaining British citizenship and registering for the upcoming IPL auction, the biggest question on the minds of cricket fans is: "Has any Pakistani player played in the IPL since the ban was imposed?"
If you are wondering the same, the answer is a clear "Yes!" Although Pakistani players have been barred from participating in the IPL since 2008, one Pakistani all-rounder not only played in the league but also made a significant impact over several seasons.
Let’s find out who this player was, how he managed to play, and whether Mohammad Amir might be following a similar path.
Has Any Pakistani Player Played in the IPL After the 2008 Ban?
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Following the inaugural 2008 season, Pakistani players were completely banned from participating in the IPL due to political tensions. Despite this, Azhar Mahmood became the only player to feature in the IPL for several years after the ban was put in place.
Azhar Mahmood is a former prominent Pakistani all-rounder. Having represented Pakistan in 143 ODIs and 21 Tests, he settled in Britain (England) after retiring from Pakistan cricket and subsequently obtained British citizenship.
How did Azhar Mahmood play in the IPL despite Pakistan being banned?
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Fans often wonder: how did the BCCI allow Azhar Mahmood to play despite the ban?
In fact, by 2012, Azhar Mahmood had officially become a British citizen and held an English passport. According to IPL regulations, a player's eligibility is determined by their passport and citizenship.
He registered for the IPL auction not as a Pakistani player, but as an English/British overseas player. It was on this legal and technical basis that he was given the green light to play in the IPL.Also Read: IPL 2027 Auction: 5 Expensive Players Teams Might Release
Which Teams Did Azhar Mahmood Play for in IPL?
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Azhar Mahmood played in several seasons of the IPL between 2012 and 2015, serving as an excellent all-rounder:
- Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings): In the 2012 auction, the Punjab team purchased him for ₹1.1 crore ($200,000). He delivered an outstanding performance for Punjab during the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): In 2015, he became part of the KKR squad led by Gautam Gambhir and featured in several matches.
Over the course of his IPL career, he claimed 29 wickets in 23 matches and scored 244 runs at a strike rate of 128.
Will Mohammad Amir Follow in Azhar Mahmood's Footsteps in the 2027 IPL?
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Azhar Mahmood’s story is trending once again because 34-year-old fast bowler Mohammad Amir now finds himself at a similar crossroads:
- After retiring from international cricket, Amir decided to settle in the UK and has now officially obtained a British passport.
- Recently, Amir registered for the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) as a British player.
- According to reports, if Amir enters his name for the 2027 IPL auction scheduled to be held in Goa on December 16, he would become the second player of Pakistani origin, after Azhar Mahmood, to participate in the IPL by virtue of holding a foreign passport.
Also Read: Will CSK Release Prashant Veer Before IPL 2027 Auction?
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