Pakistani left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir is ‘likely’ to register for the IPL 2027 auction after taking up citizenship in the United Kingdom. According to Cricbuzz, Amir has registered for the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) draft, which will be held on November 3, as a ‘UK National’ and IPL is likely to follow.
Amir, 34, played 159 internationals for Pakistan. He obtained his British citizenship through his marriage to a UK citizen and lawyer, Narjis Khan. After completing the necessary legal formalities, residency requirements, and passing the UK citizenship test (which includes an English language test and a UK history/culture exam), he officially received his British passport in May 2026.
With his UK passport, Amir is now registered as a local/domestic
player in English cricket (such as with Nottinghamshire in the T20 Blast and Trent Rockets in The Hundred) instead of an overseas player. It also changes his status in his erstwhile home competition, the Pakistan Super League (PSL), to an overseas player.
No Pakistani citizens have featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since the inaugural 2008 season. Following the 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai in 2008, political and diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan led to the effective ban on Pakistanis from the IPL.
While Amir can register for the auction, whether he makes the long list depends on the franchises. If any one of the franchises expresses interest in him, he’d at least be part of the auction, which is likely to be held on December 16 in Goa.
Last time a Pakistani player featured in the IPL
INCORRECT – Azhar got his passport because he married in 2003 to a British citizen – ME. Well before IPL. He entered the IPL auction back in 2012 when he was playing majority of the leagues. It was an honour for him 2have participated. But didn’t change his nationality for IPL.
— Ebba Qureshi (@EbbaQ) October 31, 2021
Azhar Mahmood, who played 21 Tests and 143 ODIs for Pakistan, was the last international to feature in the IPL, playing for Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012 and 2015. He, too, did so through a British passport after marrying a UK citizen, Ebba Qureshi.
