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Pakistani players are banned from playing in the IPL, but Amir will be eligible to play in the cash-rich league next year after acquiring a United Kingdom passport.
Mohammad Amir eyes IPL contract in 2026. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Former Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Amir is eyeing an opportunity to play in the Indian Premier League. According to the left-arm pacer, who announced his retirement from international cricket for the second time last year, he will be eligible to play in the world’s richest franchise cricket league in 2026, and if the opportunity comes his way, he would love to explore it.
“Next year tak meri opportunity ban rahi hai, agar hua to why not (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,” Amir said on the Haarna Mana Hai show. (From 28:15)
Pakistani players participated in the first edition of the IPL in 2008, but after that they were banned due to tense political relations between India and Pakistan. But despite that, former Pakistani all-rounder Azhar Mahmood played in the IPL for Punjab Kings in the 2012 and 2013 seasons and for KKR in IPL 2015 because of his United Kingdom citizenship.
Amir’s wife, Narjis, is a UK citizen, and he is also hoping to get a UK passport soon, which will open the doors for him to play in the IPL.
During the same show, Amir was asked which team he would like to play for if he got a chance to feature in the IPL, and in reply, he mentioned Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) name.
Out-of-favour Pakistani batter Ahmad Shahzad, who was part of the panel, said RCB need a bowler like Amir, and he can help them win the maiden IPL title.
“RCB need a bowler like Amir to fix their bowling woes. They have a good batting unit, but their bowling has always been a problem. If Amir plays for RCB, they will win the title,” he said.
32-year-old Amir made his debut for Pakistan during a T20I match against England at the Oval on June 7, 2009, and went on to play 36 Tests, 61 ODIs, and 62 T20Is for Men in Blue. He was part of the Pakistani team that won the T20 World Cup title in 2009 under Younis Khan’s leadership and the 2017 Champions Trophy title under Sarfaraz Ahmed’s captaincy.
His last appearance for the Pakistani team was against Ireland during the 2024 T20 World Cup match played in Lauderhill on June 16, 2024.
