The Pakistani players are not allowed to take part in the Indian Premier League. It is because of the strained relationship between India and Pakistan. Though some big Pakistani names featured in the inaugural edition of the league in 2008.
Players like Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul, Shoail Tanvir, Salman Butt, and Shoaib Akhtar were part of the 2008 IPL. But after 26/11, the BCCI banned the Pakistani players from taking part in the league. Since then, no Pakistani players have featured in the IPL. But what if the BCCI allows players from Pakistan to participate in the league?
Former Australian cricketer Tom Moddy and Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar shared their views on this topic. In an interaction on ESPN Cricinfo, these two former cricketers named the Pakistani players who would have bagged big money at the IPL auction and why.
Players like Babar, Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Haris Rauf are some of the big names in the shorter formats. Some of these also play in other T20 competitions like the BBL, CPL, BPL, and England’s Vitality Blast.
Moody said, “Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Rizwan and Shadab Khan. They have got a number of terrific players, particularly in this format of the game. Shaheen would be your No.1 pick, he would be box office.”
On the other hand, Manjrekar also agreed with Rizwan and Shadab but add Haris Rauf as his surprise pick. He also named opener Fakhar Zaman, who can be a big buy as well.
Manjrekar said that Rauf is one of the best death bowler in the shorter format at the moment and every team needs a good death bowler. He said that Rizwan plays an anchor role, but Fakhar is a dasher at the top who can demolish any bowling attack, which is why he could be a surprise pick at the auction.
