A special thank you to my good friend Sohail Alam for helping put this together.

It’s indeed unfortunate that the absence of Pakistani players has been felt in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since its early years. Cricket has historically been a unifying force between India and Pakistan, and the IPL could have been a platform for furthering that camaraderie through sportsmanship and competition. Seeing players from both nations share the field would not only showcase their immense talent but also promote goodwill and understanding among fans. Despite the political tensions between India and Pakistan, sports have often served as a bridge, allowing people to come together despite differences. Hopefully, in the future, we’ll see efforts to overcome these barriers and create opportunities for players from both countries to participate in tournaments like the IPL, enriching the cricketing experience for fans worldwide.

That being said, Pakistan is no stranger to the competition themselves. Having most of its well, ‘Premier’ players available in the first edition of the tournament, they’ve made a lasting impact we still look back on to this day. Hosting the likes of Shoaib Akhtar, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi and so on… And as mentioned, it’s ever been a dream to see them cross over with the best International players (Indians, even) in a single team. We’ve seen traces in the past in the World XIs or your “Afro-Asia Cup” teams. But what if they were still a part of IPL. This is something I’d like to see happen now or in the near future. The talent they possess is the best they’ve had in years, capable enough to win any competition. And mixing it up with the very best, a sight to sore eyes.

Anyway that’s my introduction to this piece; let’s get to it!

Babar Azam to Gujarat Titans

Definitely, who wouldn’t like to see that!? This is by far the most hopeful crossovers of Pakistani players in IPL, and I’m just talking about the thought of Babar playing in the tournament. One of the best batters in the game, the usual thought of Babar would be to pair up with his counterpart Virat Kohli, but we take a different turn which we will get to in a bit. He’s a hardworking, reliable player who can switch well between his accumulation and smash hitting with ease, and these same abilities would be helpful for another player to be freed of the same responsibilities as we’ve seen him in the past. Having said that, the thought of Babar Azam & rather Shubman Gill batting would make a whole lot more sense than him & Virat. This is in similar lieu of why Kane Williamson exists in the Gujarat Titans squad, but with better conditions at play. I would genuinely enjoy the pair as they could switch responsibilities and help the rest of the lineup, when you have the likes of Miller, Tewatia, Sudarshan coming up and trying to make use of the order’s mishaps at different situations. I would love to see this happen, for real.

Shaheen Afridi to Mumbai Indians

Switching from one of the best batters to one of THE best bowlers in the format, this is a pairing I would like to see with my utmost sincerity, and this is not even my Mumbai Indians fandom coming into play. The sight of Shaheen Afridi & Jasprit Bumrah putting out fiery spells of toe crushing yorkers, (chef’s kiss!). And hey, even judging by Mumbai’s current campaign, you can truly see the need of such a lethal left arm pacer (which is what Mumbai have operated with over all these years, with the likes of Mitchell Johnson, Mitch McClenaghan & Trent Boult). The season seemed to be shaping well before the start, having Jason Behrendorff & Dilshan Madushanka at their best, but losing them to injuries and having to replace them with Luke Wood (who I still maintain is misused) and Kwena Maphaka has been disastrous. Shaheen trumps all names mentioned with ease. And it is a dream pairing with Bumrah as it is. He could also contribute with the bat if required, floating down the lower order and scoring runs at times. I am truly salivating at this thought as a fan myself, wish it comes to fruition, someday.

Mohammad Amir to Rajasthan Royals

Here’s another team that has historically worked well with left arm pacers (also Pakistani players). Mohammad Amir is a shoe-in for Rajasthan Royals at this point. Need someone for Powerplay AND Death overs, he’s definitely your guy! And his pace attack with Trent Boult would be just as salivating, compared to Shaheen & Bumrah. As of this season alone, despite Rajasthan’s recent inclusion of an extra batter like Rovman Powell, previous players like Nandre Burger have also performed admirably. However, Amir’s experience and skill make him a significant upgrade for the team. As one of Pakistan’s best bowlers, Amir’s inclusion in any team would be a boost, and it would be exciting to see him in action for the Rajasthan Royals.

Fakhar Zaman to Punjab Kings

Don’t you love it when things come together how they should? Which is why I see Fakhar Zaman as the perfect option for Punjab Kings. His presence stabilizes a somewhat volatile middle order, and someone who could also open when required given Shikhar Dhawan has been amiss with injury & form. On a personal note, the pitches in India are Fakhar’s forte, and him clacking those shots outside the ground is a total sight that we need. He could totally function in a role similar to the one Bhanuka Rajapaksa had for the side and I also believe he’s an upgrade for the same. Which is when you would also need the presence of Shashank & Ashutosh if the team score is stable enough to start hitting shots. Oh man, what fun would he bring to this already entertaining team.

Iftikhar Ahmed to Chennai Super Kings

Talk about an explosive finisher in a sea full of. He might look like an odd person out but he’s no way a spring chicken either. And this isn’t even alluding to your usual age jokes with this guy, Iftikhar Ahmed is an actual proper explosive option to have in Chennai. Someone who seamlessly fits in with this team, be it age (okay enough with the age jokes) or otherwise. If he were to actually play for CSK, he would have to contend with the likes Daryl Mitchell & Moeen Ali, even Ravindra Jadeja who he shares similar attributes with. For those who follow me on my socials, you know what opinion I hold of Jadeja in T20s, but Iftikhar can bring that swagger they sorely need in the middle order along with Jadeja himself. Can also chip in a few overs when necessary, he’s the complete package you don’t wanna discard.

Mohammad Rizwan to Delhi Capitals

This is a player I have genuine appreciation for. Mohammad Rizwan’s style of play indeed seems like a good fit for the Delhi Capitals. As a versatile player who can float in the top order, he could provide stability and aggression, which could be an upgrade over Shai Hope. Delhi Capitals have experienced some inconsistency in their top order, and Rizwan’s presence could counterbalance this. Pairing Rizwan with Jake Fraser-McGurk, who has been in great form recently, could make for an exciting opening partnership. While Delhi’s aggressive style of play comes with risks, having Rizwan anchoring the innings could provide a solid foundation for the team. His ability to score quickly while holding the innings together could be a valuable asset for Delhi Capitals. A joke could still be made here with Delhi and its abundance of wicket keeping options (including their captain Rishabh Pant), but Rizwan matters well within that realm.

Imad Wasim to Sunrisers Hyderabad

If you were heading into this season predicting Sunrisers Hyderabad’s lineup, to noticing how they have played the entire season, there has been a noticeable gap of one Wanindu Hasaranga. An ace spinner who can also be handy with the bat when necessary. Which is also why I see Imad Wasim being the capable alternative to him. My appreciation of Imad Wasim truly is on another level. A journeyman of T20 cricket himself, his wealth of experience in a side that has been largely damp on spin options themselves. Their best option is Mayank Markande who himself has been great when called upon, but with Wasim in the side totally mirrors what Shahbaz Ahmed brings to this side, except he’s a frontline bowler too, back into Hasaranga’s alley. I would like to see him be that wicket taker in middle overs to break partnerships, especially for Sunrisers who themselves have struggled to do that at times. All in all, a low key banger pick in my opinion.

Shadab Khan to Lucknow Super Giants

My absolute favourite Pakistani cricket right now! Shadab Khan’s all-round skills make him a perfect fit for Lucknow’s side in the IPL. With Lucknow already being a well-balanced team, Shadab adds an extra dimension with his spin bowling and batting abilities. He can be a floating option in the batting order, providing support to Nicholas Pooran in finishing games or taking charge himself lower down the order. Additionally, his spin bowling adds depth to the bowling attack, especially in home games at EKANA where the pitch tends to be slower. Considering Quinton de Kock’s inconsistent performances and KL Rahul’s role as the wicketkeeper, Shadab could easily find a place in the side, providing a more dynamic option. Overall, Shadab Khan’s skills and adaptability make him a valuable addition to Lucknow’s squad, enhancing their chances of success in the IPL.

Naseem Shah to Royal Challengers Bangalore

The superhero RCB needs in its bowling! Naseem Shah looks tailor made for RCB’s ever existing bowling woes. He could walk into this side and give them the extra bite it so desires. Clocking consistently at 145+, him & Siraj would make a tandem that could effortlessly carry this side, while the batters do their job with relative ease. Also helps that if RCB did decide to bowl with an extra foreign seamer, Lockie Ferguson adds much needed depth in their bowling when it so desires. He would make a superb pick, being the second Pakistani to play for the side after Misbah Ul Haq.

Haris Rauf at Kolkata Knight Riders

Haris Rauf’s aggressive pace bowling could indeed be a game-changer for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL. With the team relying on relatively inexperienced bowlers like Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora this season, adding a seasoned pacer like Rauf could provide the team with more depth and stability in the bowling department. Despite the high expectations on Mitchell Starc, his performance has been inconsistent, highlighting the need for a reliable pace bowler like Rauf. His ability to perform well at the death overs could be particularly valuable for KKR, as they have struggled in this phase of the game. Rauf’s addition could significantly bolster KKR’s bowling attack and change the team’s dynamics, making them a more formidable force in the tournament. It would be exciting to see Rauf in action for KKR, and my enthusiasm for this potential transfer is palpable!

So these would be my picks if Pakistani players ever got the chance to ply their trade in the IPL. I really wish something like this ever happens in the future and we get to see them cross over with the very best cricketers, all at once!