Several Pakistani cricketers played in the first IPL in 2008. Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanveer shone in that IPL. However, due to the political rivalry between the two countries, no Pakistani cricketer has played in the IPL since then.
Wrong! One, however, played. He is Pakistani all-rounder Azhar Mehmood. This all-rounder, however, played as a ‘British’ cricketer. This time Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir can also walk in the path of Azhar Mehmood. This pacer will think about playing IPL from 2024.
Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mehmood took British citizenship after quitting international cricket. Mehmood got a chance to play in the IPL because he had a British passport. He is playing one season for Kolkata Knight Riders and two seasons for Kings XI Punjab. Why this discussion can suddenly walk the path of this all-rounder?
He declared from international cricket in December 2020. He alleged ‘mental torture’ by the then board and coaching staff as the reason. It was later heard that Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis from the post of coach and Ramiz Raja from the post of PCB chairman may return to the national team. Even if they all leave, the chances of Amir’s return to the Pakistan jersey are very slim.
This 31-year-old pacer is going to get British citizenship next year as he is married to British citizen Nazirees Khan. That is why there is talk about Aamir’s IPL game. Amir gave the answer in a local newspaper.
The cricketer, who won the 2009 T20 World Cup and 2017 Champions Trophy for Pakistan, said, “First of all, I will not play for England. I played for Pakistan. Second, it will take another year. What will be the situation then? As I always say, I go step by step. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow, we will start thinking about IPL from 2024.’
Despite keeping the Pakistan jersey, Amir played in various franchise leagues around the world. The pacer has recently signed up for the Durban Qalanders, a team in the Jim Afro T-Ten League in Zimbabwe.
Sources: The Daily Star