IPL 2025: Pakistan superstar officially confirms IPL availability

Expressing his desire to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Pakistan fast-bowler Mohammad Amir has said that he would be eligible to play in the tournament in 2026.

The left-arm pacer has applied for British citizenship but is yet to get the passport. While his wife Narjis is a UK citizen, Mohammad Amir is still waiting to get his passport. If he gets the passport, he will indeed be eligible to ply his trade in the IPL.

While Mohammad Amir had retired from international cricket in 2020, he came out of retirement to represent the Men In Green in the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, he re-retired immediately after the conclusion of the World Cup and is now once again waiting to get a UK passport. The 32-year-old is hopeful of getting the passport in 2026 and is fancying his chances of playing in the IPL.

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"Next year tak meri opportunity ban rahi agar hua to kyu nahi (By next year, I will have the opportunity to play in the IPL and if given the chance then why not). I will play in the IPL," Mohammad Amir said on the show “Haarna Mana Hai."

The show’s host Tabish Hashmi them asked Mohammad Amir, "What will be his reactions when he will be criticised in Pakistan for playing in the IPL?"

In reply, the fast-bowler said, "Pakistani cricketers were banned in the IPL, but our former cricketers were doing commentary and were also coach of the franchise."

Mohammad Amir was referring to the likes of Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raza who plied their trade in the IPL even after Pakistan players were banned from playing in the tournament. Akram was the coach of Kolkata Knight Riders while Raza plied his trade as a commentator.

Pakistan's Mohammad Amir is not the first

If Mohammad Amir goes on to play in the IPL, he will not be the first player from Pakistan to play in the IPL after the ban. In 2012, former allrounder Azhar Mahmood was signed up by Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab). Mahmood, who represented Pakistan in international cricket from 1997 to 2007, got the green light to play in the IPL only because of his British citizenship.

Amir is eyeing a similar route to play in the IPL and is hopeful of getting the green light by next year. During the same show, he also expressed his admiration for Indian superstar Virat Kohli, saying: "Virat is great and admires talent.

"Virat gifted me his bat and I was overwhelmed by his action. I have always been a great admirer of his batting and he is of my bowling. I played some good knocks with his bat," added Amir while recalling the moment he shared with Kohli during the 2016 T20 World Cup in India.