Mohammad Amir IPL Participation (Source: AFP)
On Wednesday, Mohammad Amir became eligible to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Notably, the former Pakistan seamer got a British Passport and now has a UK citizenshop, making him eligible to play IPL, which bars Pakistan-based players to register due to cross border tensions.
For the unversed, Pakistan players featured in IPL in the inaugural season, which was 2008. However, post that, the BCCI banned Pakistan players from the cash-studded league. It has been 18 years, and the ban is still there. However, the league do allow Pakistan players with dual citizenship to take part in IPL.
Azhar Mahmood: The last Pakistan player to play in the IPL
Notably, now that the doors are open for Mohammad Amir’s return, he can follow the footsteps of Azhar Mahmood, who was the last Pakistan born player to play in IPL. For the unversed, Azhar Mahmood represented Pakistan from 1996 to 2007.
After playing for Pakistan, Mahmood made an entry to the IPL in 2012 with the Punjab Kings. The former bowler represented the Kings for two seasons and played his last in IPL in 2015 with Kolkata Knight Riders, but how?
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Interestingly, Azhar Mahmood obtained a british passport after his playing days and entered the IPL auction as a British citizen and not Pakistan. Hence, Punjab Kings faced no action and were allowed to rope in the then 36-year-old.
Azhar Mahmood’s Numbers In IPL History
Interestingly, Azhar Mahmood had a good career in the IPL. The right-arm bowling all-rounder played 23 matches combined for Punjab Kings and KKR. The 51-year-old picked up 29 wickets with an economy of 7.68. Also, with the bat, Azhar Mahmood scored 388 runs with a strike-rate of 128.05.
Azhar Mahmood most played for Punjab Kings and got only a game to play in his final IPL season. Notably, in 2015, Mahmood featured for KKR where he played a solitary match and leaked 41 runs in four overs without any wicket.
Eventually, the franchise let the Pakistan bowler go because of his age as he nearly turned 40 by the time IPL 2015 got over.
Will Mohammad Amir Register For IPL 2027?
Notably, in the past, Mohammad Amir has expressed his interest to play in IPL. Therefore, there is high chance that the left-arm seamer will register for the IPL 2027 mini-auction.
"Next year tak meri opportunity ban rahi agar hua to kyu nahi (Why not? By next year I will have the opportunity to take part in the IPL)," remarked Amir previously as quoted by Economics Times.
Now, it is upto IPL teams and the BCCI whether they silently protest Amir, given the backlash Mustafizur Rahman faced after KKR picked him up for IPL 2026.
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