Azhar Mahmood IPL
Azhar Mahmood was the only Pakistani player to have played in IPL even after Ban. While almost all Pakistani players were banned after the first edition of the Indian Premier League. But, Azhar played in the 2012, 2013 and 2015 seasons.
In the 2012 and 2013 seasons, he played for the then Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). While in the 2015 season, he represented the Kolkata Knight Riders. A possible reason for him being allowed in the IPL can be that he became a British citizen in 2011.
Why Were Pakistani Players Banned?
A lot of Pakistani cricketers did play in the inaugural season of the IPL. But, then came the deadly 26/11 attacks in which 10 attackers held the city of Mumbai hostage for almost 3 days. They killed, bombed and committed arson on an unprecedented level.
This worsened the relations between the two countries and hence, Pakistani players were banned from playing in the IPL. The perpetrators and conspirators of the attacks are still free in Pakistan. This wasn’t the first time Pakistan had attacked India by making use of terrorists.
Before this, Pakistan was also responsible for creating insurgency in the Indian state of Jammu And Kashmir in the 90s. This is going on till now and has claimed the lives of thousands of Indian soldiers and members of the armed forces.
While critics might argue that banning sportsperson from visiting a country is illogical. But, this argument carries no weight. Since allowing Pakistani cricketers while the planners of terror attacks are allowed to roam free would be almost mocking the sentiments of those who lost their loved ones in these attacks.
Hopefully, the victims of these attacks will someday get justice and they will be finally at peace.
Note:
We have written the article only Pakistani player to have played in IPL even after Ban. To share a relatively unknown fact with you and for no other purpose whatsoever.
