The likes of Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, Karman Akamal, Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Asif were part of the IPL 2008. Later, they were banned from playing in the IPL due to political discord between the two worlds.
Pakistan players have been absent from the IPL for 15 straight editions now and as things stand their return in the near future is highly unlikely. However, cricketer-turned-experts Sanjay Manjrekar and Tom Moody have made interesting choices in case Pakistan stars were picked in the cash-rich league.
Former India cricketer Majrekar has reckoned that Haris Rauf would have gone for high bucks because of his speed and death bowling expertise. He also picked veteran opener Fakhar Zaman and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan.
“One of the best death bowlers, Haris Rauf,” Manjrekar was quoted as saying to ESPNcricinfo
“I think about their bowlers more than their batters. But Fakhar Zaman would be an interesting choice in certain teams,” Manjrekar said.
“Rizwan is somebody who plays the anchor’s role. Sometimes, I tend to get worried when Babar and Rizwan bat together,” he added.
Mood, the former head coach of IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), straightaway went to left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi, predicting that he would be “box office” in the league, He also placed his bets on Pakistan captain Babar Azam, Rizwan and all-rounder Shadad Khan.
“Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Rizwan and Shadab Khan. They have got a number of terrific players, particularly in this format of the game. Shaheen would be your No.1 pick, he would be box office,” Moody said.
However, these are just wishes in a “perfect world” which looks far from achievable.
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