While the cricketers from Pakistan are banned from participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and haven't featured in the best franchise-based T20 league in the world in its last 15 editions, there was a time when Pakistan cricketers displayed their talents in IPL. In the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008, Pakistan cricketers were part of the different franchises and players like Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik and Sohail Tanvir among others participated in the competition.
From the 2009 edition onwards, the Pakistan cricketers were banned from playing in the IPL due to the flaring political tensions between India and Pakistan.
As the 17th edition of the IPL draws near, let's take a look at the 11 cricketers from Pakistan who participated in the 2008 edition of the glitzy league.
1. Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi played for the Deccan Chargers in the 2008 edition of the IPL. With the bat, Afridi scored 81 runs in 10 matches while with the ball, he bagged nine wickets.
2. Shoaib Malik
Shoaib Malik represented the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the 2008 edition of the IPL. Malik played seven matches and scored 52 runs along with bagging two wickets with the ball.
3. Sohail Tanvir
Sohail Tanvir played for the Rajasthan Royals in the 2008 edition of the IPL. The left-arm pacer played 11 matches and bagged 22 wickets.
4. Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar played for the Kolkata Night Riders in the 2008 edition of the IPL. The right-arm speedster played three matches and picked five matches.
5. Misbah ul Haq
Misbah ul Haq played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2008 edition of the IPL. Misbah played eight matches and scored 117 runs.
6. Mohammad Asif
Mohammad Asif represented the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the 2008 edition of the IPL. The right-arm pacer played eight matches and picked as many wickets.
7. Umar Gul
Umar Gul played for the Kolkata Night Riders in the 2008 edition of the IPL. The right-arm pacer bagged 12 wickets in the six matches he played.
8. Kamran Akmal
Kamran Akmal played for the Rajasthan Royals in the 2008 edition of the IPL. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 128 runs in the six matches he played.
9. Salman Butt
Salman Butt played for the Kolkata Night Riders in the 2008 edition of the IPL. The left-handed batter scored 193 runs in seven matches he played.
10. Younis Khan
Younis Khan played for the Rajasthan Royals in the 2008 edition of the IPL. The right-handed batter played in just one match where he scored three runs.
11. Mohammad Hafeez
Mohammad Hafeez played for the Kolkata Night Riders in the 2008 edition of the IPL. The all-rounder scored 64 runs in eight matches and picked two wickets.
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