IPL 2023 Auction: 5 Current Pakistan Players Who Could Have Caused A Bidding War If They Played In The IPL

Pakistani players have only ever competed in the IPL’s debut season, which took place in 2008. Pakistani players won’t be eligible to compete in the IPL until at least IPL 2023 due to geopolitical concerns between the two nations. 

Several high-profile athletes from Pakistan competed in the inaugural IPL. Among many others, these individuals were Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Asif, and Mohammad Hafeez. 

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The Pakistani squad advanced to the T20 World Cup final but fell to England at the storied MCG. The Babar Azam-led team is so gifted that some of its members would fetch millions of dollars if given the opportunity to compete in the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

Here, we present five active Pakistani players who, if given the chance, may command high IPL bids. 

Mohammad Rizwan

Mohammad Rizwan made his T20 debut for Pakistan against Bangladesh in 2015, but he was unable to earn a berth in the team because Sarfaraz Ahmed had been a member of it for a while. He made his mark in international cricket by helping Pakistan defeat India for the first time in the T20 World Cup 2021 with an outstanding unbroken innings of 79 off 55 deliveries.

He leads Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League, and in 2021, his side won the championship because to his strong leadership. He has scored 1046 runs in 24 games, ranking second on his squad overall, with a brilliant average of 55.05. 

With these kinds of numbers in both international and domestic T20 leagues, it can be argued that Rizwan would have been one of the most sought-after cricketers at the auction if Pakistani cricketers had been permitted in the IPL due to his astounding numbers and amazing batting and keeping ability. 

Babar Azam

Babar Azam currently serves as the team’s captain across all formats of cricket for Pakistan. After making his T20 debut in 2016, Azam quickly distinguished himself as one of the team’s key batters because to his amazing batting performances.

He demonstrated his leadership abilities by guiding Pakistan to a crushing 10-wicket victory against archrival India during the T20 World Cup in 2021. He became the first Pakistani captain to defeat India in a World Cup game, regardless of the format, with this victory. 

Babar has already scored 3355 runs at an average of 41.41 in 99 T20Is. He played with Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League in addition to playing for his country until the 2022 season, scoring 2398 runs at an average of 43.60 in 66 games. In a perfect world, he might have been on one of the IPL franchises with a solid reputation.

Shadab Khan

Especially in the shortest format, Shadab Khan’s all-around abilities make him a valuable player for the current Pakistani side. He has been one of their top bowlers in T20Is, taking 98 wickets in 84 matches with a fantastic economy of 7.03. He had a fantastic economy of 6.00 while taking nine wickets in six games during the 2021 World T20. 

He once again displayed his talent on Australia’s quick wickets during the T20 World Cup 2022, taking 11 wickets in seven games while maintaining an economy rate of 6.34. He was attacking with his all-around skills throughout the game that was on the line against South Africa.   

He plays a crucial role in Islamabad United’s success in the Pakistan Super League thanks to his leadership qualities, leg-break bowling, and aggressive batting. He ranks fourth in the tournament with 65 wickets taken in 61 matches at an economy of 7.26.

Khan would undoubtedly entice several franchises at the auction if Pakistan cricketers were given the opportunity to compete in the IPL today. 

Haris Rauf

Since making his international debut in January 2020, Haris Rauf has had a significant influence for Pakistan in T20 International matches. Rauf improves Pakistan’s bowling lineup with both his extreme velocity and variety. 

Along with Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Shadab Khan, he is one of Pakistan’s primary bowlers and has taken 72 wickets in 57 T20 Internationals thus far. 

The 29-year-old has also played in the Pakistan Super League and the Big Bash League. He has made 18 appearances for the Melbourne Stars in the BBL and has so far claimed 30 victims with a top mark of 5/27. 

On the other side, in 40 PSL matches for Lahore Qalandars, he has taken 47 wickets. If Pakistani cricketers were permitted to play in the Indian Premier League, it stands to reason that Haris Rauf would be one of the players to watch out for in the auction.

Shaheen Afridi

Shaheen Shah Afridi is proof positive that Pakistani soil is notorious for generating quick bowlers and seamers. He can frighten any batting order with his destructive inswinging yorkers, which he can throw at speeds of above 140 km/h. His extraordinary spell against India in the T20 World Cup 2021 victory was a key factor in Pakistan’s illustrious victory by 10 wickets. 

He made his T20I debut for Pakistan in 2018, but during the 2021 World Cup, he rose to fame in his own nation thanks to his match-winning efforts. He is currently one of the most feared bowlers in the world, having taken 58 wickets in 47 T20 International matches for Pakistan. 

After his outstanding performance in the T20 World Cup 2021, Lahore Qalandars named him the team’s captain ahead of the PSL 2022. He lived up to his reputation by thrillingly bringing the Qalandars their first championship.

Shaheen Afridi is without a doubt the most sought-after player in cricket right now, and he undoubtedly would have set off bidding wars among numerous clubs during the IPL auction. 

Also Read: IPL 2023 Auction: 3 Players Released By Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) Who Might Go Unsold In The Auction