The addition of Pakistan talents to Indian Premier League will no doubt boost the line-up of the teams. After featuring in the 1st edition of the cash-rich league, Pakistan cricketers were boycotted from the tournament due to geopolitical tensions between the two countries. However, here, we take a look at how franchises could have benefited from the addition of Pakistani players to their sides in IPL 2025. The team that we will speak about is Punjab Kings and the players in fray are Saim Ayub and Haris Rauf.
How Saim Ayub and Haris would have been perfect for PBKS
Saim Ayub has been prolific ever since he made his debut in T20s in 2021. With 2297 runs from 89 T20s, the opener has been rising rapidly, especially over the last couple of years. The 22-year-old’s consistent performances earned him the role of a specialist opener for Pakistan. Sadly, he had to miss out on the ICC Champions Trophy after suffering an ankle fracture just before the tournament.
Although Ayub’s records aren’t that phenomenal in T20Is, he is arguably one of the best top-order batter for Pakistan currently. Besides, he has the experience of playing in various leagues such as PSL, BPL and CPL in which he has 1383 runs to his name. The young opener could have been a perfect like-for-like replacement for Josh Inglis in Punjab Kings in IPL 2025.
Although the Australian is more experienced compared to Ayub in T20s, the Pakistani batter is more accustomed to batting in sub-continental conditions. It is this familiarity that makes him a better fit for PBKS, especially as the opener. Alongside Prabhsimran Singh, Ayub would have been the perfect opener for the Kings.
| Format | Mat | Runs | Ave | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 8 | 364 | 26.00 | 55.40 |
| ODIs | 9 | 515 | 64.37 | 105.53 |
| T20Is | 27 | 498 | 21.65 | 137.95 |
| FC | 23 | 1444 | 38.00 | 65.28 |
| List A | 44 | 1987 | 46.20 | 106.37 |
| T20s | 89 | 2297 | 27.67 | 143.29 |
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Another Pakistan star who would have been a perfect fit for PBKS is Haris Rauf. The fiery pacer is no stranger to playing T20 leagues across the globe and has a reputation of being a lethal bowler. Had he been allowed to play in IPL 2025, he could have easily replaced Xavier Bartlett in PBKS.
With 284 wickets from 217 T20s, averaging 22.61, Rauf has terrorized the opposition in every single league that he has taken part in. In T20Is, he boasts of 110 wickets from 79 matches, averaging 21.28. His vast experience of playing in various leagues includes – PSL, The Hundred, Big Bash League (BBL), MLC, BPL and the Vitality Blast. His tremendous success in the PSL and BBL makes him a must-have bowler for any team, particularly in leagues in the sub-continent.
| Tournament | Mat | Wkts | Ave | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Hundred | 12 | 16 | 13.31 | 6.83 |
| MLC | 14 | 11 | 42.00 | 8.82 |
| PSL | 57 | 66 | 29.54 | 9.10 |
| BBL | 22 | 36 | 16.33 | 7.75 |
| BPL | 8 | 9 | 23.77 | 6.79 |
| Vitality Blast | 4 | 4 | 27.75 | 7.92 |
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