Shahid Afridi to Sohail Tanvir: A look at Pakistan players in the IPL 

If you want to know about Pakistan players in the IPL, this is the right place. Now and then, there is a discourse about what if Pakistan's players were part of the biggest and the most prestigious T20 league in the world, that is the Indian Premier League.

Fans often make up their fantasy scenarios of how much the current Pakistan stars such as Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan would go for in the auction. While the current generation of Pakistan players may never get the opportunity, the older generation was fortunate enough to be part of the IPL in the inaugural edition. 

It was from 2009 onwards that the Indian board banned Pakistan players from participating in the IPL due to political tensions between the neighbouring countries. This decision was made amidst tense diplomatic relations between the two countries, and the board has not looked back on it since. 

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A look at Pakistan players in the IPL

Below we take a look at Pakistan players in the IPL and how they fared for their respective franchises.

Shahid Afridi – Deccan Chargers

The spin all-rounder Shahid Afridi was the most expensive Pakistan player in the IPL auction 2008. Having a base price of USD 225,000, Afridi went for USD 675,000 with Deccan Chargers acquiring his services. Afridi, however, could not live up to the price tag. He played 10 matches in the tournament and picked nine wickets at an economy of 7.50. Afridi failed to make an impact with the bat, only scoring 81 runs in nine innings. 

Shoaib Akhtar – Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders signed the fastest bowler in the world, Shoaib Akhtar for USD 425,000. Akhtar ended up playing only three matches as the PCB had banned him due to disciplinary reasons. He claimed five wickets in three games, including 4 for 11 from three overs against Delhi Daredevils. Akhtar was awarded the player of the match in this game. He was one of the Pakistan players in the IPL who made a mark.

Umar Gul – Kolkata Knight Riders

The leading wicket-taker of the 2007 World T20, Umar Gul was surprisingly picked up for only a base price of USD 150,000 by Kolkata Knight Riders. The man who had a searing yorker that undone many batters, played six matches in the IPL 2008 and snared 12 wickets at an economy of 8.17. It included best figures of 4 for 23 in one of the games. He was one of the three Pakistan players in the IPL for KKR.

Mohammad Hafeez – Kolkata Knight Riders

The Knight Riders picked the Pakistan all-rounder in the inaugural edition of the IPL for a base price of USD 100,000. Mohammad Hafeez played eight games in the tournament but had a horror time with the bat. He could only make 64 runs from eight innings at a strike rate of 77 and took two wickets from 10 overs he bowled. 

Salman Butt – Kolkata Knight Riders

Salman Butt was the fourth Pakistan player to play in the IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders. The left-hand batter was acquired by the franchise for USD 100,000. He played seven games in the IPL 2008, scoring 193 runs at an average of 27.57 and strike rate of 119.87. Butt hit one half-century in the competition and was one of the Pakistan players in the IPL.

Shoaib Malik – Delhi Daredevils

Shoaib Malik had a base price of USD 300,000 in the 2008 auction and he was picked up by Delhi Daredevils for USD 500,000. The middle order who could bowl part-time offspin, Malik played seven matches in the IPL 2008 but failed to make any impression. He scored just 52 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 110 and with the ball, he could pick only two wickets. 

Mohammad Asif – Delhi Daredevils

Mohammad Asif had a very short international career due to his involvement in spot-fixing scandal but before that, he was considered one of the most skillful pacers. Asif was the second most expensive Pakistan player in the tournament, having been picked by Delhi Daredevils for USD 650,000. He wasn't at his best in the competition, where he featured in eight games and picked eight scalps at a high economy rate of 9.25.

Sohail Tanvir – Rajasthan Royals

Sohail Tanvir was the one Pakistan player to play in the IPL who had a huge impact in the tournament. The left-arm fast bowler was acquired by Rajasthan Royals for USD 100,000 and he ended up being the purple cap winner for the most wickets in the season. Tanvir snared 22 wickets in 11 games at an economy of 6.46. His 6 for 14 against Chennai Super Kings remained the best bowling figures in the league until 2019. He was one of the important Pakistan players in the IPL.

Kamran Akmal – Rajasthan Royals

Kamran Akmal, the exciting wicket-keeper batter, was signed by Rajasthan Royals for a base price of USD 150,000. He featured in six games in the maiden IPL season and did a decent job. Akmal made 128 runs at an average of 25.6 while striking at 164, including one half century. 

Younis Khan – Rajasthan Royals

One of Pakistan's best batters ever, Younis Khan was bought by the Rajasthan Royals for a bid of USD 225,000. He, however, got an opportunity to play only one match in the tournament against Kings XI Punjab. He scored just 1 run and wasn't picked again. 

Misbah ul Haq – Royal Challengers Bangalore

Royal Challengers Bangalore got the services of Misbah ul Haq for USD 125,000. The then Pakistan captain played eight games in the IPL 2008 but couldn't deliver with the bat. Misbah scored 117 runs at an average of 17 and strike rate of 144. 

Azhar Mahmood – Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders

Azhar Mahmood played for Pakistan during 1996-2007, but could play in the IPL after the ban because of a British citizenship. He was a key part of Kings XI Punjab in 2012-13, where he played 22 matches. He picked 29 wickets at an economy of 7.62 and made 382 runs at a strike rate of 128. In 2015, he was picked by KKR but could only play one game.