Delhi: Former Pakistani captain Rashid Latif believes that Pakistan players are unable to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is why the team’s performance in recent years was not of the level that is expected from them. Latif believes that Pakistani cricket is being ruined due to his players not playing in the Indian league.
Let us know that 12 Pakistani players participated in the first IPL season played in 2008, but after the terrorist attacks in Mumbai in the same year, the BCCI dropped the Pakistani players from this league.
In a conversation with IANS, Rashid Latif said, “Of course, we also miss the IPL. If our players had played in it, it would not only increase interest but also beneficial for business. If our players were in IPL, some broadcaster would have shown it in Pakistan.”
Significantly, till now only three players from Pakistan (Sohail Tanveer, Kamran Akmal and Younis Khan) have won the IPL Trophy in 2008 on behalf of Rajasthan Royals.
Latif also emphasized that cricketers from countries like New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies and Afghanistan have learned a lot from the IPL and their cricket level has improved tremendously.
He added, “You see players from countries like New Zealand, West Indies and South Africa and played against the best players in the world. Facing the bowlers like Pat Cummins, Jofra Archer, Kagiso Rabada increases the ability to compete inside the players, because the competition is of very high levels and facilities are also found world class.”
The former wicketkeeper said, “Just as we talk about clubs like Manchester United and Real Madrid in football, because there are both facilities and players the best, in the same way the IPL is also the best league in the world, when players play there, they are easy to play in other countries.”
He also described the role of IPL as important in the rapid emergence of the Afghanistan team. Latif said, “After Rashid Khan, players like Noor Ahmed, Ajmatullah Umarjai and Fazalhak Farooqui have come in the IPL and they have also made a good impact on the national team.”
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(Tagstotranslate) IPL 2025 (T) Pakistan National Cricket Team (T) Rashid Latif