IPL 2018: 5 Pakistan players who deserved a chance this time
The Indian Premier League is a picture-perfect amalgamation of cricketing talent from all around the globe, including stalwarts of the game as well as young talent. However, the one thing that remains missing from the high-profile league is the presence of Pakistani players in the competition.
Worsening political ties between India and Pakistan since the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008 have translated into an invisible barrier that has prevented any Pakistan player from taking part in the IPL.
However, in recent times, there have been heart-warming gestures in the Pakistan Super League, where fans have held up posters asking Indian cricketing superstars like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni to take part in the PSL, proving that the game is above and beyond political turmoil.
So if we were to hypothetically consider the scenario of Pakistani players having been allowed to play in the IPL, which 5 of the current crop of players from our neighbouring country would have been the top picks for the teams?
#5 Babar Azam
The 23-year old right-handed batsman has had a meteoric rise in the ranks of the Pakistan T20 team. As an opener for his national side, Azam has impressed continually, with 691 runs in just 19 T20Is. His recent stint in the Pakistan Super League saw him end the tournament as the third highest run-scorer with 402 runs in 12 games at a strike rate of 122.18.
The 2nd T20I against West Indies in Karachi on April 2 saw Azam attain new heights as he smashed 97 runs off just 58 balls, to guide his team to a mammoth total 205-3 and an eventual 143-run victory. The youngster is currently placed at number 3 on the ICC T20 Rankings.
Babar Azam would have been a near-perfect solution for the Sunrisers Hyderabad side, who will be missing out on the services of their regular explosive batsman, David Warner this time. Azam, who is known for his batting heroics, could have easily stepped in as the SRH opener and taken on the best of opposition bowling, including the likes of Yuzvendra Chahal, Kagiso Rabada and Pat Cummins.