The Indian Premier League (IPL) stands as the most prominent T20 tournament worldwide, attracting top cricketing talents from various major nations. Players from neighboring Pakistan were also included in the league, although their participation was limited to the inaugural edition, leaving fans yearning for more.
Notable cricketers from Pakistan, including Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, and Mohammad Asif, had the opportunity to participate in the IPL during its inaugural edition in 2008.
However, their subsequent involvement in the league was impeded by political tensions between the two nations, leading to their suspension from IPL matches.
For a continuous span of 15 editions, Pakistani players have been conspicuously absent from the IPL, and unfortunately, the prospects of their return in the foreseeable future appear bleak.
Nevertheless, notable cricket personalities such as Sanjay Manjrekar and Tom Moody, who have transitioned into cricket experts, have made intriguing selections, hypothetically envisioning the inclusion of Pakistani stars in the tournament.
According to former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, he believes that Haris Rauf, known for his exceptional pace and proficiency in death bowling, would have attracted significant bids in the IPL. Manjrekar also expressed interest in veteran opener Fakhar Zaman and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan for their potential impact in specific teams.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar mentioned, “Haris Rauf is one of the best death bowlers. I think more about their bowlers than their batsmen. However, Fakhar Zaman would be an intriguing choice for certain teams.”
Tom Moody, the former head coach of IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), wasted no time in selecting left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi as his top choice, foreseeing his potential to be a crowd favorite in the league. Moody also expressed confidence in Pakistan captain Babar Azam, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, and all-rounder Shadab Khan, placing his bets on their ability to make a significant impact in the IPL.
Tom Moody spoke highly of the Pakistani players, stating that Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shadab Khan possess exceptional talent, particularly suited for the T20 format of the game.
Moody specifically emphasized the prowess of Shaheen Afridi, considering him as the top pick and someone who would be a captivating presence in the league.