Mohammad Amir will be eligible to play in IPL 2022, here is how he will be eligible

Pakistan cricketers have not played in the Indian Premier League since the 2008 edition. Following the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008, the IPL barred the participation of Pakistan players in the tournament. The ban has continued even today and there is no Pakistan representation in the IPL for the last 13 years. However, Mohammad Amir, the Pakistan left-arm pacer could be eligible to participate in the 2022 edition of the tournament. 

In a recent interaction with Pakpassion.net, Mohammad Amir has revealed that he has applied for British citizenship. If he gets that, then he will no longer be a Pakistan cricketer and he can play the IPL according to the rules. Due to the political tensions between India and Pakistan, no Pakistan players are allowed to play in the IPL. 

On the website, Amir said, “I’ve been granted indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom. I’m enjoying my cricket these days and plan to play for another 6 or 7 years. My children will grow up in England and receive their education. There so no doubt I will be spending a fair amount of time there. At the moment, I’ve not really thought about the other possibilities and opportunities available. How things will turn out when I receive British citizenship in the future,” Amir said.

Mohammad Amir not the first ‘Pakistani’ on this route

If Amir gets British citizenship, he will not be the first Pakistan player to go down this route and play the IPL. Azhar Mahmood, who was a Pakistan cricketer but became a citizen of Britain, played one season of the Indian Premier League for Kings XI Punjab and had moderate success.

In early 2021, Amir quit international cricket alleging ‘mental torture’ by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The left-arm pacer had already retired from Tests in order to focus on limited-overs cricket. According to the latest developments, Amir had reportedly volunteered to come out of retirement in order to play for the Babar Azam-led side on the international circuit.

Amir had agreed to withdraw his international retirement under one condition. According to the Pakistani media, the discarded pacer agreed for a comeback if Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis are removed.