Five Pakistan-born players who played in IPL after inaugural season

4. Azhar Mahmood

In 2011, former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood became a British citizen which made him eligible to participate in IPL. At the IPL 2012 auctions, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) picked him up $2,00,000 to reserve his services. Making his debut in the league, he put up a satisfactory show as an all-rounder.

As a batter, he amassed 186 runs in 10 innings of 11 matches at a strike rate of 130.98. While with the ball, he became the second-leading wicket-taker, grabbing 14 wickets at an economy of 7.71. In 2013, Mahmood again showcased his mettle with the ball, picking up 15 wickets in 11 matches at an economy of 7.52.

Punjab revamped their team in 2014 and this time, Mahmood didn’t find a place in their scheme of things. At the auctions, he went unsold as no franchise showed interest in him. Mahmood again went unsold at the 2015 auctions but just a few days before the start of the tournament, KKR signed him up as a replacement for James Neesham, who got ruled out of the tournament due to an injury. During the competition, he got a chance to play only one match, in which, he looked ineffective with both bat and ball.