Pakistan’s star fast bowler, Hasan Ali, has expressed his strong desire to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He stated that if given the opportunity, he would definitely play in the tournament. This is noteworthy because Pakistan cricketers were banned from the IPL after the inaugural edition in 2008 due to the escalating political tensions between Pakistan and India. During the first season, renowned players like Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, and Kamran Akmal had participated in the cash-rich competition.
Hasan Ali expressed his wish to play in the IPL, emphasizing that it is one of the biggest leagues in the world. He stated, “Every player wants to play IPL, and it is my dream to be a part of it. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will definitely play there.” These remarks were made by Hasan during an interview on Samaa Lounge.
Earlier, Pakistan’s World Cup-winning captain and former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, had advised the players of the nation not to worry about India not allowing them to participate in the T20 event.
Meanwhile, preparations for IPL 2023 are underway, with all 10 franchises finalizing their player retentions and releases ahead of the upcoming auction. The Mumbai Indians’ signing of Hardik Pandya has become a major talking point, as the Gujarat Titans skipper has decided to rejoin his old franchise after spending two seasons with GT. Additionally, the Gujarat-based franchise has named Shubman Gill as its skipper.
In other notable moves, the Mumbai Indians traded Cameron Green to the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The Delhi Capitals have decided to retain wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant, despite uncertainty surrounding his potential return to the field after a car crash in December 2022.
The IPL 2024 auction is scheduled to take place on December 19 in Dubai.
In conclusion, Hasan Ali’s desire to play in the IPL reflects the eagerness of Pakistani players to be a part of the prestigious tournament. As preparations for IPL 2023 continue, the player retentions and releases by the franchises have generated significant interest among cricket fans.
