The absence of Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since the 2009 edition has been often seen as a peculiar thing about the biggest T20 league in the world. Pakistani players were part of the IPL in its inaugural edition in 2008.

But post the Mumbai terror attack in 2008, the Pakistani players became a pariah in the IPL. Sicne then the Pakistani players are not included in the IPL auction, keeping the sentiments of Indian viewers and fans in mind.

However, this has not stopped Pakistani fans from wondering what would’ve happened if Babar Azam had played with Virat Kohli for RCB or Shaheen Afridi bowled alongside Jasprit Bumrah for MI in the Indian Premier League.

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A fan, seemingly from Pakistan, shared a creative featuring both Pakistan players and Indian players in various franchise jerseys in the IPL.

The fan posted a few pictures with the caption, “Dream for many Indian and Pakistani cricket fans.”

Replying to the fan, Harbhajan came up with a rather scathing response, asking the fan to “stop dreaming”. He posted: “No Indian hv such dreams .. you guys plz stop dreaming wake up now”

Mohammad Hafeez, Salman Butt, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afridi were amongst the big names who took part in the tournament in 2008. Sohail Tanvir ended up winning the Purple Cap for the most wickets as his team Rajasthan Royals won the IPL in 2008.