Indian Premier League is the most-watched T20 tournament in the world and the majority of the players love to be a part of India’s premier T20 competition for many reasons.
There is so much craze for this particular league as the fans turn up in numbers to witness the tournament. Moreover, the cricketers love playing in front of the tightly-packed stadiums as well.
Besides that, the money that is offered in the IPL is so huge as well. While players from other nations are part of the league, Pakistani players are not part of the IPL owing to escalating tensions between both nations.
In fact, India and Pakistan haven’t played a bilateral series since 2012 for obvious reasons. Both teams have been facing each other only in the ICC or the ACC events.
Nonetheless, way back in 2008, several Pakistani players took part in the IPL. It was the only season they were part of the tournament. Case in point, let’s take a look at the two Pakistani pacers who played in the Indian Premier League.
1. Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar is popularly known as “Rawalpindi Express” and he was one of those fast bowlers who bowled deliveries at a rapid pace. He represented Kolkata Knight Riders in the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League.
However, he played only three games for the club wherein he took 5 wickets to his name. He registered his personal best bowling figures of 4/11 against Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals).
2. Sohail Tanvir
Sohail Tanvir was one of the trickiest pacers who troubled the opposition batters with his unorthodox left-arm bowling action. He was one of those Pakistani pacers who played in the IPL.
Sohail Tanvir represented Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural edition of the IPL. He had a rock-solid season wherein he took 13 wickets to his name. Tanvir registered his career-best match-winning bowling figures of 6/14 against Rajasthan Royals.
3. Mohammad Asif
Former Pakistani paceman Mohammad Asif represented Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League. The former right-arm paceman went on to represent eight games for the franchise wherein he took 8 wickets to his name. He registered his personal best bowling figures of 2/19.
4. Umar Gul
Umar Gul was the second Pakistani pacer purchased by Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2008 auction. Former Pakistan’s right-arm paceman went on to play six games for KKR wherein he took 12 wickets to his name, registering his personal best bowling figures of 4/23.
