Pakistan Players in IPL 2026: As of March 2026, no Pakistan cricket team players are participating in the Indian Premier League season. Since the inaugural 2008 IPLIPL, Pakistani cricketers have been excluded due to ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan.
However, 2026 saw an interesting development in other cricket tournaments, especially those linked to IPL franchises abroad.
Pakistan Players in IPL 2026
Previous Year Pakistani Players in IPL-Linked Franchises
| Player Name | Role | Franchise / League | IPL Link Franchise | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abrar Ahmed | Leg-spinner | Sunrisers Leeds (The Hundred) | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 2026 |
| Usman Tariq | Mystery spinner | Birmingham Phoenix (The Hundred) | No direct IPL link | 2026 |
| Imad Wasim | All-rounder | Seattle Orcas (Major League Cricket, USA) | Delhi Capitals | 2025 |
| Mohammad Amir | Fast bowler | Trinbago Knight Riders (CPL) | Kolkata Knight Riders | 2025 |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | Fast bowler | Registered, went unsold/withdrew | N/A | 2026 |
| Haris Rauf | Fast bowler | Registered, went unsold/withdrew | N/A | 2026 |
| Shadab Khan | All-rounder | Registered, went unsold/withdrew | N/A | 2026 |
Pakistani Players in The Hundred 2026
The Hundred, England’s high-profile 100-ball cricket tournament, included Pakistani players for the 2026 season.
- Abrar Ahmed (Leg-spinner): Signed by Sunrisers Leeds, owned by the same group as IPL’s Sunrisers Hyderabad, for £190,000 (~₹2.34 crore).
- Usman Tariq (Mystery spinner): Picked by Birmingham Phoenix.
Despite the signings, several prominent Pakistani players such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Shadab Khan went unsold or withdrew from the tournament.
Controversy Around IPL-Linked Franchises
The signing of Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds caused debate online due to the IPL link. The Sun Group, which owns both Sunrisers Hyderabad (IPL) and Sunrisers Leeds (The Hundred), sparked speculation about indirect participation.
BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla clarified that the board has no jurisdiction over foreign leagues. The IPL ban on Pakistani players does not extend to overseas tournaments.
Pakistani Players in Other Overseas Leagues
Several Pakistan cricketers continue to feature in global leagues connected to IPL franchises:
- Imad Wasim – Seattle Orcas (linked to IPL’s Delhi Capitals)
- Mohammad Amir – Trinbago Knight Riders (linked to IPL’s Kolkata Knight Riders)
These opportunities show that while Pakistan players are absent from IPL, they can still participate in franchise cricket worldwide where BCCI restrictions do not apply.
Potential Routes for IPL Participation
Historically, players of Pakistani origin have entered the IPL using alternative citizenships. For instance:
- Azhar Mahmood played in IPL from 2012 to 2015 using a UK passport.
- Mohammad Amir has expressed interest in a similar route, though no confirmations exist for IPL 2026.
Currently, no Pakistani cricketer has secured entry into IPL 2026 through such workarounds.
FAQs
1. Are any Pakistan players participating in IPL 2026?
No, as of March 2026, no Pakistani cricketers are part of the Indian Premier League season.
2. Why are Pakistani players not allowed in the IPL?
Pakistani players have been excluded from the IPL since 2008 due to ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan.
3. Can Pakistani players play in IPL-owned franchises abroad?
Yes, Pakistani cricketers can play in overseas leagues associated with IPL franchises, such as The Hundred in England, where Abrar Ahmed was signed by Sunrisers Leeds.
4. Which Pakistani players played in IPL-linked leagues in 2026?
- Abrar Ahmed – Sunrisers Leeds (The Hundred)
- Usman Tariq – Birmingham Phoenix (The Hundred)
- Imad Wasim – Seattle Orcas (Major League Cricket, USA)
- Mohammad Amir – Trinbago Knight Riders (CPL)
5. Has any Pakistani player ever played in the IPL?
Yes, players like Azhar Mahmood played in the IPL (2012–2015) using a UK passport to bypass nationality restrictions.
6. What is the BCCI’s stance on Pakistani players in foreign leagues?
The BCCI does not interfere with who franchises sign in leagues outside India. The IPL restriction applies only to matches held in India.
7. Could Pakistani players enter IPL in the future?
Potentially, players with alternate citizenships or passports, like the UK route used historically, could participate, but no such entry is confirmed for IPL 2026.
8. Why was Abrar Ahmed’s signing by Sunrisers Leeds controversial?
The controversy arose because the Sun Group owns both Sunrisers Hyderabad (IPL) and Sunrisers Leeds (The Hundred), sparking debate about indirect IPL links.
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