The speculation surrounding Mohammad Amir and his potential return to the Pakistan cricket team for the upcoming T20 World Cup has made fans curious.
Recently, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi urged Amir to reverse his retirement and make himself available for selection for the T20 World Cup that will be played in the Caribbean and the USA in June.
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"[Mohammad] Amir can easily make his way into the lineup of the Pakistan team even today. He falls in the category of Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi. There is still cricket left in Amir and he should play for Pakistan," said Afridi.
While it remains to be seen whether Amir comes back to play for Pakistan, there's a big chance fans could get to see him don the colours of one of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises in 2025.
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'Will see when the time arrives' - Mohammad Amir on whether he'll play IPL
In an interview with Imran Siddique of Dawn News, Amir was asked if he would be open to playing in the IPL should an opportunity present itself after attaining British citizenship.
Here's what Amir said:
Look Imran bhai, it's a very sensitive topic. I don't think it makes sense to talk about it (IPL) because when the time comes, we'll find out. It's not worth talking about it right now. I'll leave it to when the time arrives as I'll have to figure out if I could play in the IPL given the circumstances.
It's not the right time to talk on IPL, I will see when the time arrives: Muhammad Amir on Playing IPL pic.twitter.com/F6B0KXSYG7
— ٰImran Siddique (@imransiddique89) March 17, 2024
How can Mohammad Amir be eligible to play in IPL?
Amir, born in Pakistan, should ideally not be allowed to play in the Indian Premier League. However, if a Pakistani player obtains the citizenship of another country, then he can be eligible to feature in the IPL.
In 2016, Amir married English lawyer Narjis Khan and moved to England four years later, in 2020. According to citizenship rules of the UK, one must spend three years in the UK to apply as the spouse or civil partner of the British citizen. Now that Amir is set to complete his fourth year in 2024, he should be earning his British citizenship soon.
Amir won't be the first player to be eligible to feature in the IPL in this manner, though. Azhar Mahmood played for the Punjab Kings (then called Kings XI Punjab) in 2012 after he had obtained British citizenship, even though he played for Pakistan. Mahmood also played a few games for KKR in 2015.
"I have one year. I don't know what would be the scenario. I always move step by step. I don't know where I will be after a year. Nobody knows the future. When I get the passport, I will definitely avail the best opportunity I get," Amir told ARY News in 2023 when asked about playing in IPL.
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