The participation of Pakistani cricketers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a long-debated topic. While Pakistani players were a part of the inaugural IPL season in 2008, they have been absent from the tournament ever since. The exclusion stemmed from political tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly following the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore.
Why Are Pakistani Players Not in the IPL?
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not allowed Pakistani players to participate in the IPL due to strained political relations between the two countries. Since 2012, India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series, and the tension between the nations has extended to cricket as well.
BCCI Official’s Statement on Pakistani Players
Recently, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla addressed the question of whether Pakistani cricketers would ever return to the IPL. Speaking on a podcast, he pointed out that the decision largely rests with the IPL franchises rather than the board itself.
“Pakistani commentators and umpires have contributed notably to the IPL. However, when it comes to players, it depends on the franchises. They do not select Pakistani cricketers, and we do not include them in the auction list either.”
When asked whether IPL franchises had ever discussed the inclusion of Pakistani players, Shukla admitted that while some franchises had raised the topic, the overall situation made their participation unlikely.
Future of India-Pakistan Bilateral Series
Shukla also discussed the possibility of an India-Pakistan bilateral series. He clarified that at present, the Indian government has not granted permission for such matches, even at a neutral venue.
“For any bilateral series, government approval and security clearance are necessary. We would like to play in each other’s countries, but for now, the required permissions are not in place. The attack on the Sri Lankan team in 2009 worsened the situation.”
Will Pakistani Players Ever Return to IPL?
Given the current circumstances, Pakistani cricketers’ return to the IPL seems unlikely. The decision depends on the franchises, the BCCI, and government policies, all of which are influenced by the broader political scenario.
For now, Pakistani players remain absent from the world’s most lucrative cricket league, with no clear timeline for a potential comeback.
