Pakistani fast bowler Hasan Ali has expressed his eagerness to play in the Indian Premier League despite the ban on Pakistan cricketers from playing in the tournament since 2009.
Several leading Pakistan players were part of the inaugural edition of IPL. Players such as Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Shahid Afridi, and others played for the various IPL franchises, but their participation didn’t continue after 2008.
In the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, BCCI banned Pakistan players from playing in India’s franchise tournament. IPL has since grown into arguably the best T20 franchise league in the world, with players earning a fortune through this T20 bonanza. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Pakistani players such as Hasan Ali would want to take part in the tournament.
“Every player wants to play IPL & I wish to play there too. It is one of the biggest leagues in the world, and I will play there if there is an opportunity in the future,” Hasan told Samaa Lounge in an interview.
Hasan Ali, who earned a call-up to the World Cup squad in place of injured Naseem Shah, fared well in the tournament. The right-arm fast bowler took nine wickets in six matches, although that was not enough for Pakistan to qualify for the semi finals of the World Cup.
Hasan Ali has shown his mettle as a T20 bowler in PSL. The Islamabad United pacer has taken an astonishing 94 wickets in 72 matches in Pakistan’s franchise tournament. He is second in the list of highest wicket takers in PSL, behind Wahab Riyaz.
With no end to the political tension between the Indian and Pakistan in sight, it seems unlikely that Hasan Ali’s wish would be fulfilled anytime soon.
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