'Star Pakistan Cricketer Calls for a Ban on Sending Players to IPL: Big Remark Against India'

Update: After a gap of nearly thirty years, Pakistan is hosting an ICC event once again, with the ongoing 2025 Champions Trophy organized by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Scheduled to conclude on March 9, the tournament has garnered significant excitement among cricket fans. However, it has been decided that if India progresses to the final, the match will not be held in Pakistan. In such a scenario, both the semi-final and final will be relocated to Dubai, where India has been competing in the tournament.

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has urged cricket boards to take a stand against the BCCI’s policy of not allowing Indian players to participate in overseas T20 leagues. Speaking on a Pakistani TV channel, Inzamam suggested that if Indian players are not released for other leagues, then other cricket boards should consider stopping their players from participating in the IPL.

“Keep aside the Champions Trophy. Top players participate in the IPL, but Indian players don’t play in other leagues. Other boards should stop sending their players to the IPL. If you (BCCI) don’t release your players for leagues, then other boards should take a stance,” Inzamam stated.

His comments come amid ongoing debates about the dominance of the IPL and its impact on global franchise cricket. While the IPL remains the most lucrative T20 league in the world, the BCCI has maintained its policy of restricting Indian players from playing in other franchise competitions.

The BCCI enforces a strict policy that prevents its players from participating in overseas franchise leagues. While cricketers from around the world—except for Pakistan—flock to India for the IPL, Indian players must retire from all Indian cricket, including the IPL, to be eligible for foreign leagues. Until retirement, they are only permitted to play List A and county cricket in England. Moreover, those who choose to play in foreign leagues forfeit their eligibility to return to BCCI-organized events.

Interestingly, many international players have prioritized the IPL over national duties. Some have even opted out of key international series to participate in the tournament, including matches leading up to major ICC events. Before the 2019 World Cup, a few cricketers skipped their final bilateral series to focus on the IPL.

Pakistan’s presence in the IPL has been minimal. The only season in which Pakistani players participated was in 2008. Although they were listed in the 2009 auction, none were sold. The only exception was former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood, who played in the IPL after acquiring British citizenship. He represented Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings.