Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has claimed that Pakistani players will soon be hired by Indian employers despite being banned from playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Pakistani players were featured in the IPL initially, but as the political situation between the two countries worsened, the IPL stopped fielding players of Pakistani origin.
However, Chopra believes the trend will change soon as Indian owners are likely to secure the services of Pakistani players for other leagues, such as the newly formed T20 league launched by Cricket South Africa.
“Pakistani players are banned in IPL, but they play in all other T20 leagues. So, since the Indian franchise owners have bought teams in other leagues, they will hire players from Pakistan as well. That will also happen. So, Pakistani players will soon be playing for Indian employers once again,” said Aakash speaking on his YouTube channel.
It is worth noting that Pakistan vice-captain Shadab Khan has already featured for a team that was owned by Indian superstar Shah Rukh Khan during his time in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The name of the team was Trinidad and Tobago Knight Riders.
It remains to be seen whether the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will offer NOC to the players, especially with the increase in the number of games the players are required to play.
