Legendary Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram had to use all the experience acquired over the years to masterfully sidestep a question regarding the Indian Premier League (IPL) while commentating during Pakistan’s first ODI against Australia.
With the 2025 IPL auction likely only a few weeks away, the commentary panel featuring David Warner quickly turned the conversation towards the likely price for Australia’s opening batter Jake Fraser-McGurk with Wasim Akram chiming in to reply that he does not watch the hugely popular T20 league.
As to why? Wasim chose to remain laconic, replying simply with “I am not allowed to” with the undertones of the statement leaving Warner in stitches. The reason will be apparent to any cricketing fan who knows that Pakistan and India share a rivalry that goes beyond the cricketing circles.
With no Pakistani players allowed to feature in the lucrative league, many diehard fans in Pakistan choose to boycott the product together with Pakistani broadcasters also not keen on jumping on the distribution rights.
Wasim, however, does have a personal link with the IPL having served as the bowling consultant/coach for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2010 season working with India’s Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav.
While he is no longer allowed to play any part in the league, Wasim’s influence is patent in cricketing circles across the world.
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