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Pakistan cricketers are currently not part of the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, there was a time when they used to play in the world’s biggest T20 league. In the inaugural edition of the IPL 2008, several Pakistan players represented different franchises.
In 2008, the relations between the two neighbouring countries deteriorated, and the BCCI were forced to shut down cricket with Pakistan. Since the, the players of both teams compete only in the ICC tournaments. Though a few Pakistan-origin cricketers, having citizenship of other nations still participate in the IPL.
Players such as Owais Shah and Imran Tahir are Pakistan-born cricketers who played for England and South Africa, respectively. They have also marked their presence in the IPLT20.
Today, let’s have a look at the four Pakistan-origin players who have won the IPL trophy:
1. Sohail Tanvir (Rajasthan Royals)
Former Pakistan pacer Sohail Tanvirwas part of Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the inaugural season of IPL in 2008 and played a major role for his team in winning the title. He was the highest wicket-taker in IPL 2008 and won the Purple Cap. He scalped 22 wickets in 11 matches, with an incredible economy of 6.46.
Tanvir took six wickets for 14 runs against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). And it got registered as the best bowling figures in the IPL history. This record stayed for over 10 years. Tanvir’s team RR won the IPL 2008 trophy after defeating CSK in the final by three wickets.
2. Kamran Akmal (Rajasthan Royals)
RR picked the explosive wicket keeper-batsman from Pakistan, Kamran Akmal, for IPL 2008. The wicket-keeper played six games to score 128 runs at an average of 25.60. Kamran also has an IPL fifty to his name. His strike rate of 164 was one of the impressive aspects of his batting in that campaign.
Kamran was part of the Royals playing eleven that took part in the final against CSK and sealed the title. He pulled off two important grabs of Parthiv Patel and Albie Morkel in the match.
3. Younis Khan (Rajasthan Royals)
Younis Khan is one of the legendary batsmen in the history of Pakistan cricket. However, in the T20 format, Younis could not make a great name. By the time the 2008 IPL arrived, he had become a rock-solid middle-order batsman for his national side.
He played just one game in the IPL that came against Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), where he scored three runs in seven balls.
4. Imran Tahir (Chennai Super Kings)
Imran Tahir is one of the two Pakistan-born players who won the IPL title after the 2008 season. The Lahore-born player who represented South Africa in international cricket, lifted the IPL trophy twice with CSK in 2018 and 2021.
Back in the 2019 season, he claimed 26 wickets.
Apart from CSK, Tahir also played for IPL teams like Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS).
