Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has been granted British citizenship, the doors to the Indian Premier League (IPL) have also opened for him, and as a British citizen, he is now fully eligible to take part in the IPL auction (bidding). The 34-year-old gained this citizenship through his wife, Narjis Khan, who is a British national.
Since the launch IPL season, Pakistani cricketers have been facing a ban from to participate in tournament. However, after obtaining British citizenship, Mohammad Amir is now eligible to take part as a British overseas player in several franchise leagues around the world, with IPL included. The left-arm fast bowler has also keen to feature in one of the world’s most prestigious T20 competitions.
Whether any of the 10 IPL franchises would be willing to sign Amir still remains doubtful. Although his British passport alters his nationality for cricketing purposes, his background as a former Pakistan international still surrounds his participation in IPL with doubts and would depend on the IPL’s eligibility rules and the BCCI’s policies.
However, there has been one precedence of a Pakistani cricketer playing in the IPL after obtaining British passport. Former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood, whose Pakistan career ended in 2007, became a UK citizen and was signed by Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) before the 2012 season.
Besides this, Mohammad Amir’s British nationality gives him another interesting edge. He can now appear in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2027 as an overseas player instead of a local player.
Following his retirement from Pakistan cricket, this legal change means that he will now be included in the PSL draft under the overseas quota, which will change the franchises’ team combinations and player-selection strategies.
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