Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has finally addressed the growing speculation surrounding his possible involvement in the Indian Premier League (IPL), making it clear that reports linking him to the tournament are not true. Amir shared a brief clarification on his official X account on November 2, putting an end to the latest wave of discussion surrounding his potential IPL return.
“Hi everyone just wanted to clarify news regarding IPL is not true,” Amir wrote in his post.
His statement comes at a time when his name has been attracting considerable attention following his registration for the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) 2026 player draft as a United Kingdom national. The development had sparked speculation that the left-arm pacer could also enter the IPL 2027 mini-auction after acquiring British citizenship.
However, Amir’s latest clarification has changed the conversation. While his participation in the Afghanistan Premier League draft is a separate matter, the former Pakistan international has now publicly rejected the IPL-related reports circulating about him.
Mohammad Amir’s IPL clarification after APL draft
The speculation surrounding Mohammad Amir gained momentum after reports emerged that he had registered for the Afghanistan Premier League 2026 draft as a UK national.
According to reports, the 34-year-old fast bowler has been placed in the Platinum category, the highest bracket in the upcoming player draft scheduled to take place in Dubai on November 3.
Amir currently lives in England and has acquired British citizenship. His registration under a different nationality attracted attention because of the restrictions surrounding Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League.
Several reports suggested that his British citizenship could open the door for him to register for the IPL 2027 mini-auction as an overseas player.
The comparison with former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood also became part of the discussion. However, Amir has now publicly distanced himself from the IPL speculation.
Importantly, his X post does not provide further details about which specific IPL report he is rejecting. It would therefore be premature to interpret the statement as confirmation of his plans for every future IPL auction.
Why Mohammad Amir’s British citizenship became a talking point
The former Pakistan international’s British citizenship has become an important factor in discussions about his future in franchise cricket.
Pakistan players have not featured in the IPL since the inaugural 2008 season. Political tensions between India and Pakistan have continued to affect cricketing relations, leaving Pakistani cricketers outside the competition.
Amir’s situation attracted attention because he is now a British citizen and has already played in English domestic competitions as a local player.
His registration for the APL draft as a UK national raised questions about whether he could explore other franchise cricket opportunities without facing the same administrative restrictions as players registered under Pakistan nationality.
There is also a historical example involving Azhar Mahmood. The former Pakistan all-rounder represented Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL between 2012 and 2015 after obtaining a British passport.
Mahmood’s participation demonstrated that a player with a Pakistan cricket background could feature in the competition under a different nationality status.
However, every player’s eligibility and registration must be assessed under the applicable tournament rules. A British passport alone should not be treated as an automatic guarantee of IPL participation.
APL 2026 draft features several Pakistan and Indian players
While the IPL rumours have now received a response from Amir, his participation in the Afghanistan Premier League draft remains an important development.
The upcoming APL player selection event has attracted considerable interest, with 462 players reportedly shortlisted across different categories.
Several prominent Pakistan cricketers have also entered the draft, including Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Hasan Ali, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim.
However, their availability remains uncertain because of the requirement to obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
A PCB spokesperson reportedly expressed doubt over whether such clearances would be issued, adding another layer of uncertainty to the participation of Pakistan-based players.
The draft also includes former India internationals Vijay Shankar and KS Bharat. Both players have retired from all forms of cricket, including the IPL, and have been listed in the Gold category.
Amir’s position is different because he has been registered as a UK national rather than a Pakistan national.
At 34, Amir remains an experienced left-arm fast bowler with a considerable record in international and franchise cricket.
He represented Pakistan in 36 Tests, 61 ODIs and 62 T20Is before making his international retirement permanent in 2024. His last appearance for Pakistan came during the T20 World Cup in June that year.
His ability to swing the new ball and deliver under pressure made him one of Pakistan’s most recognisable fast bowlers during his international career.
For now, his immediate franchise cricket future will attract attention as the APL 2026 draft approaches. His IPL clarification, meanwhile, makes one thing clear: reports suggesting an imminent IPL move should not be treated as confirmed news.
Whether Amir considers an IPL opportunity in the future remains a separate question. Until he makes another announcement, his latest statement should be taken at face value.
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