Pakistan’s talented fast bowler, Hasan Ali, has expressed his aspiration to participate in the esteemed Indian Premier League (IPL), widely renowned as one of the globe’s premier and most lucrative T20 leagues.
However, a historic ban has kept Pakistani cricketers out of the competition since the Mumbai terror attack in 2009. Despite several prominent Pakistani players featuring in the inaugural edition, including Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Shahid Afridi, among others, their involvement ceased after 2008.
The exception came in the form of Azhar Mahmood, a former Pakistan all-rounder, who was part of the Punjab Kings’ squad due to holding a British passport. Furthermore, the prospect of Mohammad Amir, set to attain British citizenship, potentially becoming the next Pakistani player to grace the IPL, remains on the horizon.
Hasan Ali, while acknowledging the IPL’s stature as one of the world’s premier leagues, remains ready to seize the opportunity should it arise in the future. “Every player wants to play in the IPL, and I wish to play there. It is one of the biggest leagues globally, and I will eagerly embrace the chance if it comes my way,” he expressed during an interview on Samaa Lounge.
