Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir has confirmed that he will be eligible to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2026. Due to geopolitical tensions, Pakistani players have been barred from IPL since 2009. However, Amir has found a route to bypass this restriction by acquiring British citizenship.
Speaking on the Haarna Mana Hai show, Amir revealed that he is in the process of securing a UK passport, which would allow him to register as a UK national and become eligible for IPL selection. “By next year, I will have the opportunity to play in the IPL, and if given the chance, why not? I will play in the IPL,” Amir stated.
The left-arm pacer expressed his desire to play for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and praised Virat Kohli for his admiration of talent. Amir recalled receiving a bat from Kohli, which he used to score crucial runs. Former Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad, a fellow panelist on the show, claimed that Amir’s inclusion could change RCB’s fortunes, as the franchise has yet to secure an IPL title.
While Pakistani players remain banned from the tournament, their former cricketers have been involved as commentators and franchise coaches in the past. If Amir secures a contract, he would become the first Pakistan-born cricketer to play in the IPL in over a decade.
