How legendary Pakistani Cricketers reacted on IPL over the years

Initially, the Indian Premier League had some cricket players from Pakistan just like other countries. Even seven Pakistani cricketers were sold in the very first auction. They were - Shoiab Akhtar (Kolkata Knight Riders), Shoiab Malik (Delhi Daredevils), Sahid Afridi (Deccan Chargers), Younis Khan (Rajasthan Royals), Mahamad Asif (Delhi Daredevils), Kamran Akmal (Rajasthan Royals) and Umar Gul (Kolkata Knight Riders). But the problem started after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack and since then all the Pakistanis were banned by the government of India to play any form of the sports in the country. Now it is quite clear that the possibility of Pakistani cricketers participating in the IPL would only arise once bilateral ties resume between two countries.

Indian Premier League Auction

As we are already heading towards the mid-season of the eleventh version of IPL and the truth have we never really missed any Pakistani cricketer's presence in last 30 days. Through this article let us find out how legendary Pakistani cricketers reacted over the years on Indian Premier League.

Sahid Afridi (Year 2018) : Former Pakistan cricket team captain Sahid Afridi recently said that he would never play the IPL again. According to him PSL is going to be the biggest T-20 league in the world and it will leave the IPL behind soon. After such foolish comments he was trolled by the fans as well as the cricket experts. Most of the experts believed that due to sheer frustration and jealousy Afridi said all those foolish words.

Afridi’s statements were posted on Twitter by Saj Sadiq, the editor of pakistanpassion.net. “Even if they call me, I won’t go to the IPL. My PSL is the biggest and there will be a time that it leaves the IPL behind. I am enjoying the PSL, I don’t have any need for the IPL. I’m not interested in it and never was,”

Saqlain Mustaq (Year 2018) : During a show known as "Saqlain Mustaq Show" former Pakistani legends Saqlain Mustaq has praised BCCI for the success of IPL. He also has said that there is no competition for IPL and this is the best T-20 League available in the world cricket right now. The former world number one off-spinner believes that the both Indian & Pakistani cricketers share very good relationships with each other off the field and the spirit should be intact. Saqlain has requested Indian Government to resume the cricket ties between the two countries at the earliest.

Javed Miandad (Year 2017): The absence of Pakistani players from the IPL failed to surprised Javed Mianded and during an interview given to a local news agency, he said that the PSL was going to be enough for the Pakistani cricketers. He also commented on the selection of Afghan players and said: "There was a time when we really felt bad for not being part of IPL, but now any IPL news does not matter to us".

Wasim Akram (Year 2015): During 2015 IPL Season, asserting that the IPL was a great platform to sharpen the skills, legendary pacer Wasim Akram said that the Pakistani cricketers were losing out big time with their players not featuring in the cash-rich Twenty20 cricket league. The "King of Swing" believed that the IPL experience not only helped players monetarily but also helped them to learn a lot. But after three years during February 2018, he offered the opposite kind of advice to Jasprit Bumrah, suggesting him to skip the cash-rich IPL and play a month's county cricket in England to become a better bowler. In an interview given to Sports360, Akram clearly believed that a stint with the Duke ball in seaming and cold conditions would benefit the 24-year-old Indian Speed star.

.Aamir Sohail (Year 2012): During 2012 IPL season Aamir sohail had requested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the government to ensure the participation of Pakistani Players in the Indian Premier League. Sohail, a former chief selector and a well-known cricket analyst and commentator felt sad that only Pakistani players were missing from the ongoing competition. He also praised the Pakistan Hockey team who had visited India earlier that year for Hockey world league & expected to see the same in cricket field also.