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'It Will Become Bigger...,’ Pakistani Legend Bats For The Inclusion Of Babar, Shaheen Afridi In IPL

Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam for PAK (X.com)Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam for PAK (X.com)

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif has voiced support for the inclusion of Pakistani cricketers in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Latif believes that allowing Pakistani players to participate would elevate the status of the IPL, possibly surpassing even the T20 World Cup in terms of significance.

However, due to strained political relations between India and Pakistan, players from Pakistan are currently prohibited from participating in the IPL. Even bilateral series between the two nations are rare, limited only to ICC events, as the Indian government opposes the idea of holding such series amidst ongoing political tensions.

Expressing his views on the matter, Latif remarked, 

“Whenever they are allowed to play in the IPL, the tournament will become a bigger event than even the T20 World Cup. If even a few Pakistan players play the IPL, it will surpass the T20 World Cup as a tournament. However, the issues between India and Pakistan have benefitted the ICC in the last two decades. They organise the iconic rivalry at neutral venues like it’s going to New York (in the T20 World Cup 2024).”

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) introduced its own franchise league, the Pakistan Super League (PSL), to rival the IPL. Latif, however, argues that the PSL cannot match the IPL in terms of size and significance. According to Latif, IPL is far ahead of PSL.

"The comparison between the IPL and PSL is not even worth debating. From a Pakistani perspective, it may seem different, but when objectively analyzing which tournament is bigger and better, the PSL still has room to grow."

The IPL is widely regarded as the best franchise league globally, while the PSL is finding itself overshadowed by emerging leagues worldwide. As for Pakistani players and their chances of playing in the IPL, approval from the Indian government is required.