Neither Shoaib Akhtar, nor Afridi; ‘This’ bowler was the last Pakistani to play in the IPL, making Rajasthan champions

• Which Pakistani players have played in IPL before?

• A new controversy due to Abrar Ahmed

• Sunrisers Hyderabad sign Abrar Ahmed

A news has come out during The Hundred auction which has sparked a new controversy in the cricket world and social media. Pakistan’s mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed has been signed by Sunrisers Leeds for a whopping £190,000 (₹2.34 crore approx). The deal has been mired in controversy as the team is owned by the Sun Group, which runs Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.

Taking this step has been highly controversial given the relationship between India and Pakistan. But even before IPL Did you know some Pakistani players played in? A player who made Rajasthan Royals engrave his name on the trophy once in the history of IPL. Who is this Pakistani player? Let’s find out

Pakistan got pepper! PCB to take strict action against fast bowler who left PSL and joined IPL?

Sunrisers’ big bid has sparked fresh controversy

During the auction, Sunrisers Leeds have shown strong interest in signing Abrar Ahmed, beating Trent Rockets to millions. Abrar became the second Pakistani player to be sold at the auction after Usman Tariq, who was previously bought by Birmingham Phoenix. Due to strained political relations between India and Pakistan, Pakistani players have been excluded from the IPL since 2009. Fans are growing up that a wholly Indian-owned brand has spent such a huge amount on a Pakistani player.

Indian investment in world league and support of Pakistani players

However, this is not the first time that an Indian-invested franchise has included a Pakistani player in its squad. In the past, players like Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim and Usman Khan have represented Indian companies in foreign leagues in which Indian companies have a majority or partial stake. Abrar’s case is gaining more attention because the Sunrisers brand is directly associated with one of the most prominent faces in the Indian domestic league, sparking a debate over the line between nationalism and sports.

Rajasthan Royals’ only win in IPL history

While Pakistani players are banned today, in the first season of 2008, 11 Pakistani stars starred in the IPL. Younis Khan, Kamran Akmal and Sohail Tanvir led Rajasthan Royals to their first and only title. That year, Sohail Tanveer created history by taking 22 wickets and winning his first Purple Cap. Since 2008, only Azhar Mahmood has participated in the IPL, but he did so on the basis of his British passport.

Sunrisers Hyderabad in trouble after buying Pakistani player; Social media account suspended