IPL is the biggest T20 cricket league in the world, where players from different parts of the world compete against each other to win the championship. The tournament follows a city-based franchise format. In the first season, eight teams from different cities of India competed against each other. Even Pakistan players participated in IPL 2008.
However, from the 2009 season onwards, not a single Pakistan team player has received an IPL contract. There have been some exceptions like Azhar Mahmood, who made it to the league because of a British passport. However, it is quite rare to see a cricketer from Pakistan in the IPL these days.
The rules do not allow players of the Pakistan cricket team in the IPL, but if the cricketer is born in Pakistan, moves to another nation and plays international cricket for another nation then he can play in the Indian T20 League.
Two such Pakistan-born players have earned contracts from the franchises by moving to another nation in the last 3 years. Here’s a list of the two names:
1. Pakistan-born player in IPL 2023 – Sikandar Raza
"He just seems to know exactly what to do, when to do it." 🙌
Ricky Ponting talks about the brilliance of Sikandar Raza and his recent success.
AdvertisementLessons by @BYJUS 📽️#Byjus | #KeepLearning pic.twitter.com/lWm4dKdnpg
— ICC (@ICC) October 27, 2022
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Zimbabwe team all-rounder Sikandar Raza was born in Sialkot. He left Pakistan and now plays for the Zimbabwe cricket team. The all-rounder had a great year in T20I cricket in 2022, which made him among the hot commodities at the IPL 2023 Auction which happened in December last year.
Punjab Kings signed him at his base price of INR 50 lakh. Now, Raza is all set to make his debut in the upcoming IPL season.
2. Ali Khan
Ali Khan, the first USA player to feature in the IPL 👏
Advertisement— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 12, 2020
Muhammad Ahsan Ali Khan was born in Attock, Punjab, Pakistan. He is a right-arm fast bowler who plays for the United States of America. Like Raza, Khan built a reputation in the shorter formats of the game. Kolkata Knight Riders signed him as a replacement in IPL 2020, but he did not play any matches.
