IPL 2022: Shoaib Akhtar reveals which franchise might have picked which Pakistani cricketer in IPL

Pakistani players have been barred from playing in IPL since after 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar was fortunate to play in the Indian Premier League in the 2008 edition for Kolkata Knight Riders, before the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and degrading relations between India and Pakistan put an end to cricketers from across borders participating in the IPL.

Since then, there have been many what-if scenarios created by experts and fans that which Pakistani cricketer would have played for which team in the Indian Premier League and which batter or bowler would have been more successful in the world’s richest cricket league.

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Now Shoaib Akhtar has come up with his fantasy choices of which franchise would have chosen which Pakistani cricketer.

Akhtar's list included six players- Shoaib Malik, Azhar Ali, Asif Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. 

“Captain of Pakistan Babar Azam would've played for Mumbai Indians in IPL. Mumbai Indians would've picked him in the highest amount and Babar Azam would've been a top star in the Indian Premier League. Shaheen would have received great support in Delhi. But he would have been an asset for any other team as well,” he told Sportskeeda. 

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Akhtar also talked about Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Rizwan and feels that he would have been perfect in the RCB set-up given that “Virat Kohli needs a team man”

“Rizwan would have gone to RCB because Virat Kohli needs a team man. He is a great person to have in the dressing room. As an opener he would have made a greater impact for Bangalore,” he said. 

He said that Shoaib Malik would have been picked by Lucknow Super Giants, big-hitter Asif Ali, who he feels would have given Andre Russell a tough fight in KKR, and Azhar Ali, who he feels would have been part of the Rajasthan Royals squad.