Several top Pakistani cricketers have made their mark in the Indian Premier League (IPL), showcasing their skills on a global stage. Renowned players like Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, and Shoaib Akhtar have left a lasting impact with their exceptional performances in various IPL seasons. However, due to political tensions between India and Pakistan, Pakistani players have been absent from recent IPL editions.
Player | Team |
Shoaib Akhtar | Kolkata Knight Riders |
Umar Gul | Kolkata Knight Riders |
Salman Butt | Kolkata Knight Riders |
Mohammad Hafeez | Kolkata Knight Riders |
Shoaib Malik | Delhi Daredevils |
Mohammad Asif | Delhi Daredevils |
Sohail Tanvir | Rajasthan Royals |
Kamran Akmal | Rajasthan Royals |
Younis Khan | Rajasthan Royals |
Misbah ul Haq | Royal Challengers Bangalore |
Shahid Afridi | Deccan Chargers |
Azhar Mahmood | Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab |
Top 5 Pakistani cricketers who played IPL
Shoaib Akhtar
The most loved Pakistani cricketer in India, Shoaib Akhtar, played for the Indian Premier League in the inaugural season. He played in three matches for the Kolkata Knight Riders, where he took five wickets.
Misbah ul Haq
Misbah ul Haq was part of Royal Challengers Bangalore. He played eight matches in the team with Virat Kohli and scored 117 runs in IPL 2008.
Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi was associated with the Deccan Chargers in the inaugural season of IPL. He played 10 matches and scored 81 runs and picked up nine wickets.
Shoaib Malik
Shoaib Malik played for Delhi Daredevils in the first IPL season. He did not make any impact in the season as he scored just 52 runs in seven games. He also took two wickets.
Umar Gul
Umar Gul was the most successful Pakistani cricketer in IPL. He had taken 12 scalps in six matches. He played for the Kolkata Knight Riders.