Which Pakistan players have been a part of the IPL?

by mishaalmubarak February 24, 2026

It might sound surprising now, but Pakistan players were once part of the Indian Premier League. In the inaugural season of the league, as many as 11 Pakistan players were roped in by several teams. However, following that season, after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the players were indefinitely banned from playing in the IPL, which remains in effect to date.

Here is a list of notable Pakistani players who played in the IPL:

Shahid Afridi

Afridi represented the now-defunct franchise Deccan Chargers in the first IPL season. Coming fresh from a T20 World Cup edition where he was the Player of the Tournament, Afridi was sold for USD 675,000. He played 10 games for the team; however, he could not live up to his reputation as a T20 jackpot player.

Sohail Tanveer

Sohail Tanveer was picked up for USD 100,000 by the Rajasthan Royals in the first season of the IPL, and he justified every single penny spent on him. In the Royals’ title-winning run, Tanveer was the leading wicket taker, grabbing 22 scalps, including a barely believable 6/14, which remained the best bowling figures in the IPL until 2019 when Alzarri Joseph’s 6/12 broke it.

Kamran Akmal

Like Tanveer, Kamran played for the Royals as well and had a fairly decent season where he averaged 25 while striking at a rate of 164.

Shoaib Malik

Bought for USD 500,000 by Delhi Daredevils, now Delhi Capitals, Malik had an underwhelming season, averaging 13 while striking at 110. With the ball, he grabbed two wickets across seven games.

Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for USD 425,000. Injuries and a ban limited his IPL career to only three games.

Misbah ul Haq

One of the 2007 T20 World Cup’s highest run-getters, Misbah, could not find his groove for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. Roped in for USD 150,000, the Pakistan batter scored 117 runs in eight games.

Azhar Mahmood

Unlike other Pakistani players, Azhar Mahmood played in as many as three IPL seasons for two teams, thanks to his British passport. In his maiden IPL edition in 2012, he played 11 games for Kings XI Punjab and returned the following year for the same franchise. In 2015, he was roped in by Kolkata Knight Riders, for whom he played just one match.

Umar Gul

One of Pakistan’s finest T20 bowlers, Umar Gul was an out and out success in the maiden IPL edition. Playing just six games for Kolkata Knight Riders, Gul grabbed 12 wickets at an average of 15.33. His stint included a 4/23, which helped Kolkata Knight Riders triumph over Kings XI Punjab in their last group stage game.

Full list of Pakistan players in IPL first season

Sohail Tanveer – Rajasthan Royals
Shahid Afridi – Deccan Chargers
Shoaib Malik – Delhi Daredevils, now Delhi Capitals
Shoaib Akhtar – Kolkata Knight Riders
Misbah ul Haq – Royal Challengers Bangalore
Mohammad Asif – Delhi Daredevils, now Delhi Capitals
Kamran Akmal – Rajasthan Royals
Salman Butt – Kolkata Knight Riders
Umar Gul – Kolkata Knight Riders
Younis Khan – Rajasthan Royals
Mohammad Hafeez – Kolkata Knight Riders
Azhar Mahmood – Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders