IPL 2024

Tom Moody and Sanjay Manjrekar give their top picks from Pakistan if they would have played in IPL

The Indian Premier League 2023 has been one of the best seasons to watch. It was a season of last-ball finishes, and the fans were absolutely hooked to their seats. The games were high-octane, and it was an exhilarating season of cricket. It was a season of many firsts as new records were set and the fans enjoyed a flurry of fours and sixes throughout the season. The games were played in 12 venues across the country.

The Pakistani players were a part of the inaugural edition in 2008. The likes of Misbah-ul-Haq, Sohail Tanvir, Shoaib Akhtar and others played for different franchises. But since 2009, they have not been associated with the tournament. In this context, Tom Moody and Sanjay Manjrekar picked up potential players from the current Pakistan side who would have made the big bucks in the IPL.

Babar Azam and Shadab Khan would have been great picks in the IPL – Tom Moody

Manjrekar named Haris Rauf, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Rizwan. Manjrekar said Rauf would have been an asset in the IPL because of his electric pace. “One of the best death bowlers, Haris Rauf,” Manjrekar was quoted as saying to ESPNcricinfo. “I think about their bowlers more than their batters. But Fakhar Zaman would be an interesting choice in certain teams,” Manjrekar said. “Rizwan is somebody who plays the anchor’s role. Sometimes, I tend to get worried when Babar and Rizwan bat together,” Manjrekar added.

“Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Rizwan and Shadab Khan. They have got a number of terrific players, particularly in this format of the game. Shaheen would be your No.1 pick, he would be box office,” Tom Moody stated. Shaheen Afridi, with his left-arm angle and searing yorkers with pace, would have been an X-factor in the IPL. He has picked up 206 wickets in all T20s.

Rauf, on the other hand, has played in T20 Leagues like the Big Bash in Australia and also in Pakistan at the Pakistan Super League. Rauf also is known for his bowling skills at the death. The right-arm pacer has picked up 225 wickets across all T20s. If things would have panned out differently, then the IPL would have had a different flavour altogether.