Pro Kabaddi League (PKL 2023) is one of the best leagues in Kabaddi not only in India but also across the world. Apart from being a feeder system to the Indian national team, the PKL has also seen some foreigners making a mark.
A host of Iranians are part of the league since its inception. Apart from this, players from Bangladesh, South Korea, Kenya, Japan and Poland have also been part of the teams over the years. InsideSport takes a look at some of the players from the different countries, who have played in the league.
Fazel Atrachali – Iran
Fazel Atrachali is the best foreigner that the league has ever seen. He has been part of the league since the second edition in 2015. The Iranian has a huge fan-following and with his impressive performances in the league, duly earned the nickname ‘Sultan’.
He leads the tackle points tally with 424 tackle points in 146 matches and is the league’s best defeder. The experienced Fazel, who is also known for his captaincy became the second most expensive foreigner in the latest auction. He was picked up for 2 crores at the PKL auction 2023 by Gujarat Giants.
Also Read: PKL: Fazel Atrachali tops list for most successful defenders in PKL
Jan Kun Lee – South Korea
South Korea’s Jang Kun Lee was part of the league since the inaugural edition. The raider made his debut with Bengal Warriors.
For the first six editions, he was part of the Warriors and performed consistently in the raiding department. He became the first foreign raider to go past 400 raid points in PKL career.
In 2019, he played for Patna Pirates and in 16 matches picked up 60 raid points. He skipped the next season and since then has not been part of the league.
Also Read: Pro Kabaddi League: Check out the captains in the inaugural edition of PKL
Victor Obiero – Kenya
Victor Obiero made his debut in the Pro Kabaddi League in 2018. He was part of the Tamil Thalaivas and played three matches for the side in which he earned six raid points.
In the next season, he featured in five matches for the side and took 12 raid points. He was later released by the franchise. In 2021, he was part of Puneri Paltan. However he got just one game in that season.
Also Read: Pro Kabaddi Flashback: Did you know, once two Pakistan army men played in PKL
Zia Ur Rehman – Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s Zia Ur Rehman featured in the Pro Kabaddi League in a couple of editions. The defender was part of Puneri Paltan in 2017 and Bengal Warriors in 2018.
He played a total of 34 matches from both the seasons and has picked up 32 tackle points in total.
