In the first edition of the Indian Premier League in 2008, Pakistani players were part of the tournament. Big names like Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Asif, and Shoaib Malik among others were part of IPL sides in the maiden edition. Azhar Mahmood is the only Pakistan player to have played in IPL after 2008 and but he played under a British passport for Kings 11 Punjab. Sohail Tanvir, Younis Khan, and Kamran Akmal also won the maiden IPL with Rajasthan Royals; a strange fact that Virat Kohli not winning it in a total of 13 IPL Edition.
Pakistan Pacer Mohammad Amir Said It Would Have Been Great To Have Indian Stars In PSL
Mohammad Amir claimed that cricketers from India and Pakistan should keep politics aside and start playing against each other. He added that it would be great to bowl against Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Pakistan Super League and also insisted that players from both countries should be allowed to play IPL and PSL.
“We have always said, as players, that cricket or any other sport, and politics should be kept separate. I love challenges like bowling to top-notch batsmen and it would have been great to bowl to them [Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma],” said Amir in an interview with Cricket Pakistan.
“Be it the IPL or PSL, it would be beneficial for players, from Pakistan and India, playing in these competitions in terms of exposure and quality of cricket,” said Mohammad Amir. Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram had also expressed his desire to see Indian and Pakistani players playing in each other’s T20 leagues.
“I have always believed that sports shouldn’t be a victim of politics but that is a government subject of both countries and it won’t be apt for me to say anything. But as you said in the question itself, yes IPL is one of the most competitive domestic leagues in the cricketing world and I wish Pakistan youngsters get to be a part of it and I also wish to see Indian players playing in PSL,” Wasim Akram had said
Mohammad Amir, 28, who shocked the cricket union by bidding farewell to Test cricket last year, added that players from both countries will benefit if they’re allowed to take part in PSL and IPL. Mohammad Amir will be seen in action during the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League.
