One Pakistan cricketer who can perfectly fit in each IPL team

Several cricket fans around the world are waiting for the resumption of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. The gala T20 tournament was called off midway after multiple players and staff members tested positive for the widely-spreading COVID-19 virus. With IPL being celebrated as one of the best T20 competitions worldwide, the league’s suspension left many cricket lovers disappointed.

The inaugural season of the prominent tournament was played way back in 2008 when T20 was still a baby in the cricket world. However, the 20-over format has taken giant strides over the years, and so has IPL. As a result, T20 stars from all over the globe have been plying their trade in the T20 extravaganza. However, that’s not the case with Pakistani cricketers.

Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar including many Pakistani players featured in the inaugural IPL edition. However, the political tension between the two nations prohibited the participation of Pakistan players in IPL after 2008. Nevertheless, Pakistan has produced many T20 stars over the years who made a mark worldwide. Although these players can’t play IPL, they would certainly have been a force to reckon with if they did.

Here we’ll look at one Pakistan player who would have fit into each team in IPL 2021

1. Punjab Kings – Shaheen Afridi

Punjab Kings lost three of their eight games in the first leg of IPL 2021, and blaming their bowling line-up won’t be wrong. The likes of Mohammed Shami, Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith struggled to contain the run-flow as PBKS ended up on the losing side despite putting a substantial score on the board.

Hence, the KL Rahul-led side badly needs a potent pacer who can deliver in any situation. Shaheen Afridi is one guy, who would have eased this problem. The left-arm arm pacer has been spearheading Pakistan’s pace attack in all three formats, and his record is also phenomenal.

Afridi doesn’t tend to leak many runs, and his happy knack of taking wickets regularly makes him a captain’s delight. Hence, he would have taken a lot of pressure from Shami. Not to forget, the 21-year-old is a left-arm pacer, and his away-going deliveries would have troubled dashers like Rohit Sharma, Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler.